CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the provision of a catering service for the British Library by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Corporate Bibliographic Service for the British Library by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Pembroke Lodge for the Royal Parks Agency by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (David Laws), of 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 741, and also to my letter to him of 18 November 2001, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Parliamentary Questions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what the cost was to her Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated;
	(2)  how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council yesterday Official Report, column 929W.

"Pride of Place"

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of the publication of the Arts Council's publication "Pride of Place" was.

Kim Howells: "Pride of Place" cost the Arts Council £78,000. I understand that this figure includes authors' fees, photography, production of the accompanying CD, design and print. The Arts Council have produced 7500 copies of the report in partnership with the media company August at a cover price of £12. Complimentary copies have been offered to all the projects who received an award under the first capital programme.

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 8 March 2002, Official Report, columns 574–76W, on statutory instruments, what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of each of the statutory instruments listed.

Richard Caborn: Of the statutory instruments listed, a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was published for the Regulatory Reform (Special Occasions Licensing) Order 2001. Copies were placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 28 June 2001. The text can also be viewed on the following website at: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/ regulation/act/made2.htm#Special as Annex C to the Explanatory Document.
	RIAs were not required for the other statutory instruments and an assessment of the cost effectiveness of each could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

National Lottery Distribution

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average amount of Lottery money awarded to constituencies was in the last 12 months.

Richard Caborn: According to the National Lottery database, which is based upon the data provided to us by the Lottery distributers, the average amount awarded to UK constituencies is currently around £15.2 million. This includes large-scale projects of national and international significance. The median level awarded to constituencies is £7.1 million to date.

Smart Card Technology

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the use of smart card technology in her Department and the areas which it is used in; and what discussions she has had with private companies about the use of smart card technology within her Department.

Kim Howells: holding answer 16 April 2002
	My Department does not currently make any use of smart card technology.
	Smart cards are used in a number of the areas for which my Department has responsibility as membership cards and payment cards among other things. My Department has also been involved in the establishment of the Connexions Card, a DfES initiative, which provides a range of services for 16 to 19-year-olds in England.
	Any plans which my Department may develop in the future will obviously take account of the smart card framework developed by the Office of the e-Envoy.
	I have not had any discussions with private companies about the use of smart card technology within my Department.

ITV Digital

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the discussions she has had with football authorities on the impact on Nationwide League football clubs of ITV Digital's entry into administration.

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the football authorities on the financial impact on Nationwide Football League clubs of ITV Digital's entry into administration.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have stayed in close touch with both the Nationwide League and ITV Digital throughout the negotiations. We met the League's chairman, Keith Harris, and chief executive, David Burns, yesterday evening (17 April).

PPS 17

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what involvement her Department and Sport England have had in the redrafting of PPS17.

Richard Caborn: Both Sport England and my Department have been extensively involved in the redrafting of Planning Policy Statement 17 (PPS 17). PPS 17 is one of the key mechanisms by which my Department and sports organisations are able to influence planning for sport and recreation, including the introduction of further measures to protect playing fields. The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions will issue the guidance.

Sports Facilities

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to include private sector and schools facilities in the forthcoming national audit of sports facilities in the UK.

Richard Caborn: Information on sports facilities in England is currently held by a variety of organisations and a single database will enable more strategic Government investment in those areas and facilities which are most important. My Department is continuing discussions with Sport England on the scope, content and cost of the proposed database and how the project will be taken forward.

Football

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the economic contribution of Football League football clubs to the (a) local and (b) English economy;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the financial impact on football clubs playing in the Football League of ITV Digital's entry into administration.

Richard Caborn: The 72 Nationwide Football League clubs play significant roles in local economies, both directly by providing employment and indirectly by providing opportunities for local businesses. Collectively, the Nationwide League also adds significantly to football's contribution to the national economy. These wider economic benefits cannot be quantified, but should be considered alongside football's substantial non- financial contribution to society.
	The Nationwide League is discussing the future of its broadcasting contract with the Administrators of ITV Digital. While these negotiations continue, it is not possible accurately to forecast the possible financial effects on the League's clubs.

National Stadium

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  whether she will have received, analysed and based a decision on the advice identified as being necessary to address the four issues to which she referred in her statement of 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 292, by 30 April;
	(2)  pursuant to her oral statement of 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 292, on the National Stadium, if she will make a statement on the four points to be addressed by the FA and WNSL, with special reference to a decision to build the stadium at (a) Wembley and (b) Birmingham; and what deadline she has imposed for receiving answers on the four points.

Tessa Jowell: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-East (Mr. Turner), on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 309W.

School Sport (Bristol)

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the provision of sports in schools in Bristol;
	(2)  how many letters Ministers in her Department and officials have received about the provision of sports facilities at Cotham School, Bristol.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has received 50 letters about the provision of sports facilities at Cotham School. Bristol City area recently received a provisional allocation of just under £4.5 million from the New Opportunities PE and Sport Programme. It is for the local education authority, working with partners and schools, to determine the priorities for this funding in Bristol, based on its assessment of greatest need. The New Opportunities Fund will be assessing the strategies and initial portfolio of projects submitted to it by the LEA to ensure they are based on local consultation and evidence of local need.

Digital Television

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date she (a) received the first report from the Digital Television Action Plan project and (b) will publish it.

Kim Howells: I receive regular reports on progress by Government and digital television stakeholders in delivering the tasks set out in the Digital Television Action Plan. With Douglas Alexander, I chaired the first quarterly meeting of the Digital Television Steering Board on 10 April. This meeting reviewed progress to the end of March, and considered future developments. An updated version of the Action Plan recording progress will be available on the digital television website www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk shortly.

PRIVY COUNCIL

"Continuing the Reform"

Gordon Prentice: To ask the President of the Council when he will respond to the report from the Public Administration Select Committee, 'Continuing the Reform'; and if he will make a statement.

Robin Cook: The Government have today sent a memorandum to the Public Administration Select Committee with an interim response to their report 'The Second Chamber: Continuing the Reform'.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Better Quality Services Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of the services of her Department have not been reviewed under the Better Quality Services Initiative; and when they will be reviewed.

Clare Short: Four out of seven service functions have been reviewed as part of our BQS programme. The remainder, for accounts, internal audit and office services, are expected to be reviewed during 2002–03. The timing and scope of future BQS work are currently under consideration.

Reproductive Health

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the impact of the withdrawal of United States funds for reproductive health services in the developing world; and what steps have been taken to make up any shortfall.

Clare Short: Despite the decision of the US to withhold funds from certain organisations, the US remains a major source of support for services aimed at improving reproductive health.
	Sexual and reproductive health care in developing countries continues to be a key priority for my Department. Achieving universal access to reproductive health for all by 2015 underpins our approach. Good reproductive health is of course also vital to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to lowering maternal mortality and combating HIV/AIDS. We are working in partnership with national Governments and key organisations to strengthen the capacity of health systems to deliver good reproductive health care and services.
	My Department's total bilateral expenditure on sexual and reproductive health activities, including HIV/AIDS, has risen from £38.4 million in the financial year 1997–98 to £206.6 million in 2001–02. We also provide significant levels of funding to UNFPA, UNAIDS and WHO to support their work to improve the quantity and availability of reproductive health services.

Reproductive Health

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development under the Global Health Fund for fighting AIDS, what role the provision of comprehensive reproductive health services will play.

Clare Short: The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria will consider applications against the principles, scope and purpose laid out in its framework documents, which can be found at www.globalfundatm.org.
	The UK believes the fund should support applications for funding for reproductive health services only where these are clearly focused on preventing or treating one or more of the three diseases. It will be important for the fund to focus on supporting interventions where global financing will be most effective and where it can add most value to existing national and international efforts. Other channels of support will be more appropriate for wider efforts against the three diseases and for support to reproductive health services more broadly.

Reproductive Health

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the adequacy of supplies of condoms in fighting AIDS in the developing world; and what steps are being taken to improve the supply.

Clare Short: Ensuring the accessibility of affordable condoms is a key priority for my Department. The UK is one of the leading bilateral providers of condoms and other forms of contraceptives in developing countries. We are also supporting a number of condom social marketing programmes which aim to make condoms accessible and affordable to the poorest. It is important that efforts meet the current and increasing need for condoms and to promote demand for condom use.
	We are working closely with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to help them develop a global strategy to help governments strengthen their capacity, to ensure that by 2015 all primary health care and family planning facilities are able to provide the widest achievable range of safe and effective family planning and contraceptive methods, including condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS.
	In January 2001, we provided UNFPA with a grant of £25 million to help meet immediate needs for reproductive health commodities, including condoms, in a range of countries facing shortages.

Iraqi Refugees

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving UNHCR for anticipating the arrival of refugees from Iraq to Iran.

Clare Short: We are not currently providing any support to UNHCR for this purpose. No appeal has been launched by the UNHCR. We will give consideration to any appeal as and when one is launched.

Afghanistan

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the flow of refugees out of Afghanistan into Pakistan; in which areas this is occurring and at what level; what the reasons for this are; and what is being done by the international community to counteract this.

Clare Short: While voluntary returns to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran continue to gather momentum, some Afghans continue to leave their country. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that approximately 40,000 Afghans are gathered in the Killi Faizo transit camp at the Chaman border crossing between Balochistan Province in Pakistan and Kandahar Province in Southern Afghanistan. Many of the group have been in the area since late February 2002. The majority of Afghans at Chaman are fleeing the effects of drought, while others are ethnic Pushtuns claiming to have been targeted by bandits or other armed groups in the north of Afghanistan, where they are a minority group. UNHCR are in discussions with the Pakistani authorities to urge them to allow those seeking refuge and assistance to be registered and transferred to existing refugee camps in Pakistan. At the same time, UNHCR and its partners are working to improve conditions—including water and sanitation and health facilities—in the waiting area; and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) are carrying out distribution of emergency food supplies.

Pakistan

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action is being taken by the Government of Pakistan and representatives of the international community to address tensions between local residents and refugees in the Balochistan area of Pakistan.

Clare Short: Balochisan has suffered a prolonged drought and refugee crisis. The Government of Pakistan and international donor are working to alleviate both aspects of this crisis.
	The UK has provided support to both refugees and host communities. UN agencies are assisting with the voluntary repatriation of refugees, and are currently considering packages of assistance to help Balochistan and NWFP with the post-refugee rehabilitation effort. The Asian Development bank and the World bank have provided assistance to alleviate the impact of the drought, and the World Food Programme has just launched an appeal for Balochistan.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Technical Co-operation Training Services: India 1999–2000 project in India.

Clare Short: Between 1999 and 2000, individual programmes under the Technical Co-operation Training (TCT) Programme in India were evaluated following DFID's normal project review procedures, including assessments of the overall performance of each programme. DFID and the Government of India jointly undertook the last review of the India Technical Co-operation Training Programme in November 1997. This focused on public administration training and addressed impact as well as value for money issues.
	Based on the review and individual programme assessments, it was agreed with the Government of India that the TCT Programme should be phased out by March 2002 on the grounds that it was not sufficiently poverty focused. We have since agreed with the Government of India to provide more strategic capacity-building support for government initiatives aimed at improving public policies and services. Such support would fit well with the Government of India's recognition that fundamental improvements in governance are a pre-requisite to effective poverty eradication.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Support for the Environment and Management Project in Egypt;
	(2)  what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Project Co-ordinator Support for Environmental Assessment and Management Project Phase 2 in Egypt.

Clare Short: The Support for the Environment and Management Project (SEAM) project, which will continue until spring 2004, aims to improve environmental planning and services for the poor in Egypt. A full economic and financial justification was prepared for the project prior to the second phase of the project being approved in 1999. Since then the project has been monitored on a regular basis with the next Review planned for May 2002.
	Reviews to date have shown that the project is having a significant impact.
	Methodologies for environmental planning piloted under the project have been adopted as the model at a national level in Egypt. Focusing on community participation the project has also enabled cost effective environmental services such as solid waste management to be developed that respond directly to the needs of poor people.
	The performance of the Project Co-ordinator on the Support for the Environment and Management Project (SEAM) is regularly monitored and assessed as part of the regular reviews of the whole SEAM project. He has played a key role in ensuring the positive impact of the project to date.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Public Administration Institutional Development Project in the west bank and Gaza.

Clare Short: The Public Administration Institutional Development project began in February 2000. Activities were put on hold in December 2000 following the outbreak of the intifada. An inception phase had been successfully completed. The environment since has not been conducive to progressing towards the project's objectives. We will explore ways to recommence activities once the circumstances permit.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the long-term interim technical assistance to Centenary Rural Development Bank in Uganda.

Clare Short: An independent project review of DFID's support to the Centenary Rural Development Bank was undertaken in August 2001. It reported that the bank had achieved all the goals set out in the project in terms of business growth (loans outstanding; value of deposits; reduced arrears). Outreach to rural areas had also increased through additional branches, and a positive relationship established between growth of the private sector through prudent lending and a reduction in poverty.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the community forestry development project Phase II in Cameroon.

Clare Short: The community forestry development project phase two (CFDP II) has been monitored regularly by DFID and the Government of Cameroon against its objective of supporting community based forest resource planning and management. Studies have shown that community forestry provides significantly higher benefits to local communities than existing systems.
	Recent reviews have concluded that the project has been instrumental in helping establish the legal basis for communities to manage their forests, and in making the community forestry process more accessible. The project has also provided training for the Ministry of Environment and Forest and helped integrate community forestry training into the curriculum at the university of Dschang.
	Part of the project completion work, to be undertaken prior to the end of the project (December 2002), will be to conduct a formal cost-benefit analysis of project inputs.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Support to Rural Feeder Roads Project in Ghana.

Clare Short: My Department's support for feeder roads in Ghana commenced in December 1999 and a review of the project is scheduled to be undertaken in mid-May. Implementation of the physical works of the project has only recently commenced and was delayed while a new Roads Prioritisation method for Ghana's feeder roads was developed. This method involves full community participation and takes into account both social and economic factors leading to a cost-benefit analysis of the roads being considered for construction and repair under this project.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Shapla: Organisation and Management, Human Resource and Hospital Management projects in Bangladesh.

Clare Short: There are three components of our support for the Government of Bangladesh's health sector reforms. They are subject to on-going monitoring by our Bangladesh office and have in addition had two independent external reviews, one in May 2000 and one in May 2001. The costs of the inputs are highly competitive and the standard of work is consistently high. DFID is thus satisfied that they are achieving good value for money and have produced demonstrable results, despite the high-risk nature of this kind of work.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Agricultural Service Innovation and Reform Project in Bangladesh.

Clare Short: This project is intended to re-orientate agricultural extension services to better meet the expressed needs of farmers. It started in July 1999. In addition to regular monitoring by DFID, biannual Joint Supervision Missions with the World bank and the Government of Bangladesh have taken place throughout the project. The most recent review was undertaken in November 2001.
	The main findings of the November 2001 review noted that substantial progress had been made and institutional strengthening activities have improved management structures and procedures. DFID has, in addition, recently conducted a detailed review of project financing, inputs and expenditures as part of the preparation for an 18-month extension.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Strengthening and Modernising Value Added Tax Administration Project in Bangladesh.

Clare Short: The objective of this project is to contribute to increasing VAT income by helping the Government of Bangladesh to establish a more effective VAT system. The project commenced in November 1999.
	In addition to close monitoring by the DFID office in Bangladesh, it is subject to annual review, the last of which was carried out in January 2002. The review carried out a detailed review of project financing and expenditures and concluded that the project has made excellent progress in its first two years. Although many activities are still on-going it is reasonable to predict that the project purpose is likely to be substantially achieved.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the construction of Bhairab bridge Phase 2 project in Bangladesh.

Clare Short: This project supports the construction of a major crossing at Bhairab, over the river Meghna on the main road between Dhaka and Sylhet. The bridge will replace the existing ferry crossing, which currently acts as a major constraint in the efficient transport of goods to and from the north-east and the rest of the country. DFID funding of a total of £21 million out of a total expected cost of the bridge of £71 million, including the cost of land purchase and resettlement of project affected persons.
	At the mid-term review of the project carried out in May 2001, it was confirmed that the objectives of the project were expected to be achieved and construction will be completed by mid-September 2002, compared to a completion date set at the commencement of the project of 4 August 2002.

Overseas Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the fourth fisheries project in Bangladesh.

Clare Short: This project is jointly funded with the World bank with the objective of supporting sustainable and equitable growth in the benefits generated from increased fish and shrimp production. It started in September 1999. In addition to monitoring by DFID, biannual joint review missions have taken place with the World bank and the Government of Bangladesh. The most recent review was undertaken in November 2001. This review noted that there have been significant achievements in project implementation, with 93 per cent. of a target of villages and beneficiaries having so far been reached.
	The report concluded that the project would largely achieve its overall objectives but continues to face significant challenges. It is too early to revisit the issue of cost-effectiveness but this will be addressed in a major review to be undertaken in May 2003.

Overtime

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on overtime payments for staff in her Department.

Clare Short: DFID staff are not encouraged to work long hours and every effort is made to avoid overtime working and to help staff balance work and private life. No member of staff has been asked to opt out of the limits prescribed by the working time regulations.
	Where overtime working is unavoidable, staff generally have the choice of overtime payments or time off in lieu. Overtime payments vary according to when overtime is worked and the grade of the staff concerned—payments are normally at plain time, time and a half or double time, depending on the circumstances and whether staff wish to take time off in lieu. The rules are complex and we are currently in the process of simplifying them. Two groups of staff are presently not entitled to overtime payments—senior civil servants and staff in Band A1 (equivalent to Senior Principal). We propose to review overtime entitlements for Band A staff by March 2003.

Smart Card Technology

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the use of smart card technology in her Department and in the areas for which it is responsible; and what discussions she has had with private companies about the use of smart card technology within her Department.

Clare Short: My officials keep under constant review the progress with smart card technology and in early 2001 they held extensive discussions with a range of private companies in preparation for introducing appropriate systems to our office. We installed and commissioned a fast lane smart card system in November 2001 in our 1 Palace street office and will be utilising the same technology following an upgrade of our Abercrombie House office in East Kilbride, which will commence later this year.
	We keep under review expansion of our systems to take advantage of the potential benefits that smart card technology can bring.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Berlin Embassy

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Private Finance Initiative contract for the Berlin Embassy by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative.

Denis MacShane: The PFI contract for the construction of the Berlin Embassy delivered a cost saving of £1.2 million over the public sector comparator.

Gibraltar

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last requested the Spanish Government to produce evidence of smuggling between Gibraltar and Spain; what evidence was supplied by the Spanish authorities; and what assessment he made of the Spanish evidence.

Jack Straw: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Peter Hain), the Minister for Europe, to my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart) on 10 December 2001, Official Report, column 633W.

Afghanistan

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being given to the Afghan interim administration in halting the drugs trade.

Denis MacShane: The UK has taken the lead in co-ordinating international efforts to assist the Afghan Interim Administration to tackle drugs. Sustainable drug control in Afghanistan will require a range of measures, including the creation of alternative legal livelihoods, the reconstruction of infrastructure and the establishment of effective law enforcement and good governance. We have also been working with the interim administration to implement the decree banning opium production issued by Chairman Karzai on 3 April. We have been encouraging other members of the international community to provide similar support.

Israel

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authorities to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention and the UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 governing wartime and occupation.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 15 April 2002
	We support the ICRC's call for all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. We have made clear to the Israeli Government that we expect medical and humanitarian organisations and Consular staff to have uninterrupted access to those in need. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stressed our concerns to Israeli Foreign Minister Peres in a telephone call on 10 April. We have called for an immediate and full Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian towns in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1402.

Israel

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government to uphold the terms of the Geneva Convention with reference to (a) attacking civilian populations and (b) destroying objects indispensable to their survival.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer of 15 April 2002
	We have grave concerns for the safety of civilians and about the destruction of property and infrastructure in the Occupied Territories. We have called repeatedly on the Israeli authorities to comply with the terms of the Geneva Convention and to take all necessary precautions to spare civilians and civilian property.

Kosovo

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Kosovo.

Denis MacShane: Much progress has been made since the elections to a Kosovo Assembly took place on 17 November 2001. On 4 March 2002, Kosovo's first freely-elected and multi-ethnic provisional self- government was formed and Dr. Irahim Rugova was elected President of Kosovo. The majority of governmental functions are being transferred from the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to the government, with the exception of powers reserved under the terms of the 2001 Constitutional Framework, such as external affairs, security and law and order. These will remain in the hands of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative. Most of the Ministers are now in place, and are establishing their departments and defining their priorities.
	All of Kosovo's minorities are represented in the Assembly, and one Ministerial post has already been filled by parties representing the non-Serbian minorities. A further Ministerial post has so far been left unfilled, pending a nomination by the Serbian minority. Following positive recent statements from their representatives and the Belgrade government, I hope that this will soon be filled.

Yasin Malik

Terry Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the arrest of Yasin Malik, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, on 25 March at Srinagar.

Ben Bradshaw: We have received a number of reports about the detention of Yasin Malik. We have raised our concerns about the condition of Yasin Malik's detention with the Indian Government. We will continue to monitor the case closely.

Lakshmi Mittal

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he sought advice from HM ambassadors to (a) the Irish Republic and (b) Kazakhstan in connection with the takeover of Sidex by LNM/Ispat.

Peter Hain: Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary or I sought advice from either ambassador.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Private Finance Initiative projects have been subject to refinancing after the contracts have been signed; and what has been the financial effect in each case.

Denis MacShane: No PFI projects have been subject to refinancing.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Public Service Agreement targets which have been revised and those which have been introduced since the publication of the 2001 departmental report.

Denis MacShane: The table sets out revised Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets since the publication of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2001 departmental report.
	
		
			 Old target Revised target Reason 
		
		
			 Increase in the global audience of the BBC World Service to 153 million by 2002 and then maintained throughout the period. Increase in the global audience of the BBC World Service to 157 million by 2004. Original target was subject to final confirmation; subsequent discussions between BBC World Service and FCO resulted in a higher target being set. Target refers to weekly radio audience and is calculated annually from independent surveys. 
		
	
	The upward revision of this target was published on the FCO website last year.
	No new PSA targets have been set for the FCO since the publication of the 2001 departmental report.

Parliamentary Questions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions;
	(2)  what the cost was to his Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated.

Jack Straw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council office, on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 929W.

TREASURY

Finance Bill

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Finance Bill will be published; and if he will make Explanatory Notes on the Bill's clauses available to hon. Members.

Dawn Primarolo: It is expected that the Finance Bill will be published on Wednesday 24 April, the day after the conclusion of the debate on the Budget Resolutions. Explanatory Notes on the Bill's clauses will be available in the Vote Office and the Libraries of both Houses on that day. Members of the public will be able to obtain copies of the Explanatory Notes from the Treasury; these will also be available on the Treasury's website http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

Delegated Legislation

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Income Tax (Indexation) (No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Friendly Societies (Modification of the Corporation Tax Acts) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Consequential Amendments and Savings) (Industrial Assurance) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions) (Partly Completed Procedures) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Individual Savings Account (Insurance Companies) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(7)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (UK Depository/Interests in Foreign Securities) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(8)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Law Applicable to Contracts of Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(9)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Savings, Modifications and Consequential Provisions) (Rehabilitation of Offenders) (Scotland) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(10)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Personal Equity Plan (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(11)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Prescribed Markets and Qualifying Investments) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(12)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Taxes (Interest Rate) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(13)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Misleading Statements and Practices) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(14)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(15)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(16)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Variation of Stamp Duties Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(17)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(18)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Consequential Amendments) (Taxes) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(19)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 6) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(20)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Friendly Societies Act 1974 (Seal of The Financial Services Authority) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(21)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Value Added Tax (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(22)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Friendly Societies (Provisional Repayments for Exempt Business) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(23)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions and Savings) (Information Requirements and Investigations) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(24)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Bankruptcy (Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) (Scotland) Rules 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(25)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Protection of the Euro against Counterfeiting Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(26)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000 (Scope of Permission Notices) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(27)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Dissolution of the Board of Banking Supervision) (Transitional Provisions) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(28)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions and Savings) (Business Transfers) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(29)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Value Added Tax (Cars) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(30)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Control of Business Transfers) (Requirements on Applicants) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(31)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(32)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(33)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Money Laundering Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(34)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Consequential Amendments and Repeals) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(35)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Enterprise Management Incentives (Gross Asset Requirement) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(36)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Confidential Information) (Bank of England) (Consequential Provisions) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(37)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(38)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Individual Savings Account (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(39)  what assessment he has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Control of Transfers of Business Done at Lloyd's) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him yesterday, Official Report, columns 976–82W.

Arthur Andersen

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government received advice from legal counsel regarding the eligibility of Arthur Andersen for Government contracts; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: I have been asked to reply.
	In February 1997, prior to the general election, the Treasury Solicitor was asked to review the on-going action against Arthur Andersen. Following the report of this review, the Government received advice from counsel on 9 June 1997 on the question of whether, in the context of the action to determine if the case should be heard in New York, it would be beneficial to relax the embargo against Arthur Andersen for Government contracts. The embargo was relaxed on 24 June 1997, and was fully lifted when the final settlement was agreed on 12 November 1997.

Departmental Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of the staff of his Department are part-time employees.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 49W.

New Deal for Young People

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people employed by the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible under the new deal for young people in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseekers' allowance or other benefits.

Ruth Kelly: We do not have this information.

Government Commerce

Valerie Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information was gathered from the Office of Government Commerce e-tendering pilot scheme for a system for use across Government, with particular reference to the Department for Education and Skills.

Andrew Smith: The recently concluded pilot covered all the key aspects of an e-tendering system, including the procurement process, functionality and operational activity. It successfully addressed security issues, which had been a particular concern to both Departments and suppliers.
	The Office of Government Commerce is working with Departments to use the information gathered from this pilot and other on-going e-pilots to develop the Government's overall approach to the effective and efficient use of e-tendering.
	Although the Department for Education and Skills did not take part in the pilot, it will be able, together with all Government Departments and agencies, to use the knowledge gained when undertaking future e-tendering activity.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 862W, on PFI, what were the changing requirements which accounted for the difference in cost between preferred bidder stage and the final contract price.

Ruth Kelly: The changing requirements vary from the addition of new properties on the portfolio PFI (STEPS) to changes in the service specifications on the single site PFIs.

Consultants

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contracts HM Treasury has with consultants; what level of professional indemnity insurance is standard in contracts with small consultants; whether he can make exceptions to the level of professional indemnity insurance; and what recent discussions he has had with other Government departments about the level of professional indemnity insurance.

Ruth Kelly: The effort required to establish the current contracts the Treasury has with consultants would incur disproportionate costs.
	The level of indemnity insurance is not fixed. The value and nature of the contract and the size of the company/ firm employed to carry out the work are taken into consideration when determining the level of indemnity insurance required.
	There have been no recent discussions with other Government Departments about professional indemnity insurance.

Solar Panels

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Government buildings owned by his Department have solar panels installed.

Ruth Kelly: None.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Plastic Bags

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for reducing the use of plastic bags; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: Packaging waste, including plastic bags, is covered by the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997, which include incentives both to reduce the amount of packaging handled by businesses and to increase the amount of packaging reused. I am aware that the Irish Government have recently introduced a levy on plastic bags from supermarkets and of the effectiveness of this approach.

Peak District (Access)

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of progress in implementing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in the Peak District.

Alun Michael: On February 11, the Countryside Agency concluded consultation on a draft map of open country and registered common land in the lower north- west, including the Peak District. The Agency is now considering comments made on the draft map, and plans to issue a provisional map in September this year.

Badgers

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on steps she has taken to combat cruelty to badgers, with specific reference to the protection of setts.

Elliot Morley: It is an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 to interfere with a badger sett without an appropriate licence. The maximum penalty for such an offence under the 1992 Act is a fine of £5,000 or six months' imprisonment, or both.
	The protection provided under the 1992 Act, which is unique for an unendangered animals, reflects the concern which is felt by the Government about the gratuitous acts of cruelty to which badgers have been subjected to all too often in the past.

Badgers

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates have been made of how many badgers there were in each constituency in each of the last 20 years.

Elliot Morley: No annual data on the number of badgers exist either at county, constituency or national level.
	Based on two surveys the number of badgers in Great Britain is estimated to be between 300 and 400 thousand. The latest survey which was conducted in the mid-1990s revealed an increase in badgers numbers of around 70 per cent. compared with the first survey which was undertaken in the mid-1980s.

Veterinary Surgeons

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many veterinary surgeons will be employed by the State Veterinary Service in 2002–03; and what the equivalent figures were in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02.

Elliot Morley: As at February 2001, 301 veterinary surgeons were employed, of which 261 were field veterinary staff.
	As at 31 March 2002, 311 permanent veterinary surgeons were employed, of which 275 are field veterinary staff.
	No further recruitment of veterinary surgeons is expected to take place in 2002–03.

Footpaths (Lincolnshire)

Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received concerning the reopening of footpaths in Lincolnshire.

Alun Michael: We received a number of comments which suggested that Lincolnshire was slow or reluctant to reopen footpaths despite the fact that there were no cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the county. The amount of correspondence was low with four letters from members of the public in favour of reopening footpaths and one against. There was one letter from an hon. Member early in the outbreak, urging strict enforcement of access prohibitions. Lincolnshire county council wrote last July objecting to my decision to revoke remaining blanket rights-of-way closures. That decision was taken in the light of the veterinary risk assessment which showed that the risk of walkers spreading FMD was extremely small and the fact that a small number of local authorities were being over cautious without good reason. The FMD outbreak demonstrated the importance of rights of way to tourism in rural areas in England, and most local authorities were keen to reopen them as soon as it was safe to do so.

Farm Diversification

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance her Department is giving farmers to diversify their businesses.

Alun Michael: The Department provides grants for farmers in England seeking to pursue good diversification projects under the Rural Enterprise Scheme and the Vocational Training Scheme, which form part of the England Rural Development Programme. DEFRA also offers assistance in the form of free planning consultancy advice to farmers who intend to pursue an eligible RES diversification project. Funds are also available from the regional development agencies to renovate redundant farm buildings. Technical assistance is provided by the Rural Development Service and through the Farm Business Advice Service.

Llama Trekking

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ease the restrictions upon llama trekking businesses.

Alun Michael: A licensing scheme for llama trekking was introduced on 28 March 2002 which allows treks to take place, while minimising the risk of disease spread. Controls are needed over this activity, as llamas are susceptible to foot and mouth disease and could become infected or could infect other susceptible livestock by crossing grazing land.

British Beef (Import Ban)

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the French ban on imports of British beef.

Elliot Morley: The ban is illegal and the European Commission have written formally to the French Government. This is the first stage in a process which may lead to a further European Court case against France.

Genetically Modified Plants

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Royal Society's updated report on GM plants.

Michael Meacher: To assist the screening of non-GM and GM food, research should continue to develop technologies to define the 'normal' composition of conventional plants.
	That the Government and the European Commission should ensure that current regulations and guidelines for infant formulas and follow on foods and GM foods complement each other.
	That the current decision-making process for screening conventional and GM foods should be expanded to encompass inhalant as well as food allergies.
	The Government are taking the following steps to address these issues.
	On the first recommendation, the Food Standards Agency has undertaken a research programme which is looking at new and emerging techniques to define the normal composition of conventional plants and how these techniques can be applied to refine the current safety assessment of GM foods.
	On the second recommendation, the FSA shares the Royal Society's view that GM and infant formulae regulations should be complementary. The FSA is pursuing this issue in Europe as these are EU regulations.
	And on the third recommendation, the Royal Society acknowledges that, at present there is no evidence that commercially available GM foods cause allergenic responses. The safety assessment for all applications for bringing GM foods on to the market includes a detailed risk assessment with consideration of all aspects of allergenicity including through inhalation.

Sustainable Development

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's priorities for the Johannesburg summit on sustainable development.

Michael Meacher: The Government's overarching strategic objective is to make globalisation work for sustainable development, especially for the poorest. These priorities are: poverty eradication, emphasising capacity building and education; the opportunities presented by resource productivity including the application of science and technology; energy; freshwater and oceans; and sustainable development initiatives for Africa.

Combined Heat and Power

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on steps her Department is taking to address the recent reductions in electricity generated from combined heat and power; and when she will publish her Department's report on CHP.

Michael Meacher: The Government believe that the major factor impacting on the economic position of CHP is relatively high gas prices combined with relatively low electricity prices. Under DTI's lead, it is continuing to pursue its strategy to address high gas prices. The Government are also aware of continuing concerns about the impact of the new electricity trading arrangements on smaller generators, including CHP. On 4 April 2002, DTI published the Government Response to its consultation on NETA and smaller generators which identifies action to help smaller generators operate more effectively under NETA. A draft Government CHP Strategy will be published for consultation shortly.

Climate Change

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the impact of global climate change.

Michael Meacher: Impact studies undertaken by DEFRA show that by the 2080s, if action is not taken to tackle climate change, global temperatures could rise by about 3 deg C, leading to 3 billion people suffering increased water stress, and around 80 million extra people at risk of flooding each year due to rising sea levels.

Euro

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what preparations her Department is making for possible UK entry into the euro.

Michael Meacher: Details of changeover planning in the public sector were set out in the Fifth Report on Euro Preparations, published in November 2001. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

Foot and Mouth

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers who suffered financial losses resulting from the foot and mouth epidemic have not been compensated.

Elliot Morley: All livestock farmers will have suffered some degree of financial loss as a result of the restrictions imposed on the movement of livestock and other foot and mouth disease related controls. It has been the policy of successive Governments only to pay compensation for the market value of livestock which is compulsorily slaughtered to control the spread of disease. However over the course of the last year the Government made available some £155 million of agrimonetary aid and more than £210 million in payments under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme and light lambs schemes.

Foot and Mouth

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will respond to the conclusions of the Northumberland county council inquiry into the handling of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Elliot Morley: The report of the Northumberland county council inquiry into foot and mouth disease provides a welcome local perspective on what happened during the outbreak. I understand that the county council has sent the report to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Lessons Learned Inquiry and they will doubtless take it into account in making their report, to which we shall respond fully in due course. The Northumberland inquiry report also outlines a medium term recovery plan for rural Northumberland to be developed within the policy framework of the Rural Action Plan produced by One North East. We have assured the leader of Northumberland county council that DEFRA stands ready to play its part alongside the other players, public, private and voluntary, which need to work together if such a plan is to be successful.

Foot and Mouth

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of her inquiries into foot and mouth.

Elliot Morley: On 9 August 2001 my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced two independent inquiries into the foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001, namely the Lessons Learned Inquiry and the Royal Society Study. The Lessons Learned Inquiry aims to report by mid 2002. The Royal Society Study should be completed by summer 2002.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money she has applied for from the European Commission in connection with meeting the costs of compensation paid to farmers for the disposal of livestock during the foot and mouth outbreak, and what response she has received from the Commission.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The total UK claim for reimbursement of the costs incurred in the foot and mouth outbreak is £998 million. The claim includes compensation payments to farmers for animals slaughtered, and destruction of contaminated feeding stuffs of £735 million. The other element of the claim is for cleansing and disinfecting of the farms and transport and haulage and disposal of livestock of £263 million.
	The Commission's auditors are auditing the claim. They have not yet issued their audit report. The Department on 28 February 2002 received an advance payment of the claim of £216,904,990 from the Commission.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what is the basis on which compensation rates for slaughtered animals were calculated during the foot and mouth outbreak.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The Animal Health Act 1981 stipulates that for the purposes of compensation, the value of an animal shall be its value immediately before it became affected with foot and mouth disease or, if not so affected, its value immediately before it was slaughtered. Animals are valued by professional valuers. From 22 March to 30 July 2001 standard valuations were set out in regulations to help ensure rapid slaughter of livestock, but farmers retained the right to request an individual valuation of their stock.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the farming community that officials acting for her Department be given (a) greater powers to enter farm property and (b) wider scope for ordering the slaughter of farm animals.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 5 November 2001
	I have received representations from a range of organisations and individuals from the farming community. Some, including the NFU were not opposed to the principle of officials being given (a) greater powers to enter farm property and (b) wider scope for ordering the slaughter of farm animals in clearly defined circumstances.

Recycling

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress made by local authorities in improving recycling rates.

Michael Meacher: Provisional figures from the Department's latest Municipal Waste Management Survey show that the proportion of municipal waste recycled or composted has continued to increase, from 7 per cent. in 1996–97 to 12 per cent. in 2000–01. Local authorities are required to further improve their recycling rates in order to achieve the statutory targets the Government have set for them, to double their recycling rates within three years and treble them in five. The recently announced £140 million fund for waste minimisation and recycling will help them to do this.

Farm Administration

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of how many forms her Department required on average a farmer in England to fill out in 2001; and what efforts are being made to reduce this.

Elliot Morley: It is not possible to make such an assessment. The number of forms completed by farmers depends on the nature and size of individual enterprises. As far as statistical forms are concerned, in 2001 more than half of the main holdings in England received no forms and the average number of forms issued to the other 68,638 holdings was 1.39. Only 319 holdings received more than four forms during the year and of the 95,125 survey forms issued more than one third were in respect of voluntary surveys. Many of the forms the Department issues to farmers relate to particular schemes such as CAP subsidy and rural development schemes. The number will vary widely depending on which schemes they participate in.
	The Department is committed to reducing paperwork. Electronic forms for IACS applications have already been introduced. The Government's Regulatory Reform Action Plan published in February contained a number of measures which will reduce the burden for farmers. These include for example enabling livestock producers to submit electronic claims for livestock premium schemes and removing unnecessary duplication of information. In the longer term the possibility of a whole farm approach to regulation should enable information required in forms to be rationalised.

Waste Incinerators

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals the Government have to control the disposal of ash and other toxic residues from waste incinerators.

Michael Meacher: Ash and air pollution control residues which are disposed of from waste incinerators are subject to the waste management controls in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, including the requirement that these wastes are disposed of in accordance with a waste management licence, and handled in accordance with the duty of care.
	The Environment Agency is carrying out a thorough investigation into the destinations of solid residues from all current municipal waste incinerators and any implications this may hold for the environment or human health. I am expecting the report to be completed later this month and I will ensure that a copy is placed in the Library of the House.

Animal Diseases

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the funding of research into animal diseases.

Elliot Morley: The Department funds a substantial programme of research into farm animal diseases. The current spend is some £33 million annually. Details of our research projects can be found on the DEFRA website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/research/researchfrm.htm).

Animal Diseases

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her strategy for handling outbreaks of serious animal diseases.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	Strategies for handling outbreaks of serious animal diseases vary in detail according to the characteristics of each disease, notably the means of spread and the species affected. Policies for dealing with the main diseases are set out in EU and UK legislation. Many elements of animal disease control contingency planning are common for a range of diseases. These include surveillance, reporting and investigation procedures; import controls; tracing and diagnosis; eradication options such as slaughter and vaccination; valuation and compensation procedures; controls over animal movements; and the principles of biosecurity, including cleansing and disinfection of premises and vehicles.
	The findings of the Royal Society and Lessons Learned Inquiries following last year's FMD outbreak will be taken into account in keeping our strategies for handling animal disease outbreaks up to date and effective.

Animal Diseases

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what tests for disease are carried out on live animal imports.

Elliot Morley: Post import checks are carried out by the State Veterinary Service for a range of diseases according to the species and the country from which the animal originated.

Illegal Foodstuffs (Importation)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on measures in place to restrict the importation of illegal foodstuffs.

Elliot Morley: The Government published an action plan on 28 March, which has a range of measures aimed at reducing the risk of exotic animal and plant diseases entering the country. The plan takes account of recent discussions the Government has had with stakeholder interests on the priorities and actions for the coming year to tackle the issue of illegal imports. A copy of the action plan will be placed in the House Libraries and it can also be viewed on line at http//www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ int-trde/prod-im/prod-im.htm.

Organic Produce

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take to standardise criteria for produce to be described as organic.

Elliot Morley: Common EU standards for the production and marketing of organic produce are prescribed by Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91. However, the Regulation does not prevent an individual inspection body approved under it from applying more restrictive standards to operators it registers.

Farm Produce (Local Sales)

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to assist farmers to sell their produce locally.

Alun Michael: The England Rural Development Programme provides grant aid for a range of activities that may be of benefit to farmers seeking to sell produce locally. We have also assisted various local projects under the Agricultural Development Scheme as well as supporting the National Association of Farmers' Market's training and accreditation programmes and the development of the South West Food and Drink Organisation.
	Through Food from Britain we contribute to the funding of a network of regional food groups which provide trade development services to regional and speciality food producers, some of whom will be farmers. Food from Britain has been active in encouraging supermarkets to stock more local produce.
	We have actively encouraged the development of farmers' markets, as has the Countryside Agency which we grant-aid. Farmers may also derive benefit from the Countryside Agency's "Eat the View" programme which seeks to achieve more favourable market conditions for local products that support sustainable land management.

Illegally Logged Timber

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to tackle the importation of illegally logged timber.

Michael Meacher: The UK has shown leadership under the G8 Action Programme on Forests in promoting bilateral arrangements with timber producing countries whereby countries work together to tackle illegal logging and associated trade. We are currently negotiating the first of these with Indonesia. We hope that bilateral agreements will lead to regional and, eventually, an international agreement that will have a big impact on illegal trade.

Illegally Logged Timber

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many seizures of illegally logged wood have been initiated by her Department in total in the last three years.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	International trade in some woods is controlled under the terms of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Those species of wood listed in Appendix I & II of CITES, require import permits from the UK before they can be imported. These are issued only where the UK Management Authority (DEFRA) is satisfied that the wood has been legally obtained in the country of origin and has the necessary permit for export from that country. Species listed in Appendix III of CITES do not require import permits. For these species a self-completed import notification form must be presented to HM Customs prior to the arrival of the specimens, together with the relevant export permit(s) or certificate(s) of origin issued by the Management Authority in the exporting country. It is for the Management Authority in the country of origin to decide whether the import has been legally logged. On the basis of these procedures the Department has not initiated any seizures of wood in the past three years.

Illegally Logged Timber

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the percentage of rainforest timber entering the United Kingdom which derives from illegal logging.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	Combating illegal logging requires effort from both timber producing and consuming countries. Timber producing countries are responsible for defining and enforcing the national legislative and regulatory frameworks that define legality.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) is working with a number of timber exporting countries to help them improve governance and strengthen forest law enforcement. We are also working to develop capacity for the implementation of timber certification schemes in some producing countries.
	Domestically, the UK is working to ensure that the import of endangered timber species is in full compliance with CITES, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species. We are also implementing a new Government timber procurement policy that seeks to procure forest products only from legal and sustainable sources.
	We estimate that of the total UK timber and timber product imports, less then 10 per cent. is from tropical timber. A reliable estimate of rain forest timber entering the UK that is derived from illegal sources can only be made once chain of custody systems are in place in exporting countries that can verify legal compliance. The Government is in discussion with some exporting countries about the introduction of such systems.

Nitrates

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's estimate of costs to farmers of the proposed nitrate vulnerable zones regulations.

Michael Meacher: The Department's consultation document issued in December 2001 outlines relative costs to farmers of two options for completing implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England.
	Total annual cost to English farmers are:
	Option 1 (whole of England approach)—£32 million.
	Option 2 (targeted NVZ approach)—£23 million.
	We are currently considering these figures in the light of responses to our recent consultation. We will publish a revised regulatory impact assessment, containing updated compliance costs, in due course when we are in a position to announce a decision on how the directive is to be implemented.

Nitrates

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what studies she has undertaken into the proportion of nitrates leached from arable land which derive from atmospheric deposition.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, from the air pollutants nitrogen oxides (mainly from vehicle exhausts and industry) and ammonia (mainly from livestock manure), is measured across the UK by the National Acid Deposition Network.
	Most of the nitrogen deposited in arable areas is taken up by crops during the growing season, but in late autumn and winter, a proportion is vulnerable to leaching. Studies at the Institute of Arable Crops Research have shown that atmospheric deposition usually contributes around 20 to 30 per cent. of the nitrate leached from arable land.
	Atmospheric deposition is a major cause for concern in upland semi-natural habitats which are naturally adapted to receiving low supplies of nutrient nitrogen. Atmospheric deposition is largest in the uplands, where rainfall is highest. Excessive deposition can lead to adverse changes in plant diversity and, in some cases, to nitrate leaching.
	Under the UNECE Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone, and the European National Emissions Ceilings Directive, the UK is committed to further significant reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions, and to curbing ammonia emissions, from 2010. Achieving these emission reduction targets will cut the amount of nitrogen deposited onto agricultural and semi-natural land. We will publish a consultation this year seeking views on how to curb ammonia emissions.

Nitrates

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will (a) determine and (b) regulate closed seasons, under the nitrate directive, on a regional basis.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The information requested is as follows.
	(a) Determination of closed periods:
	Annual closed periods in existing NVZ areas are:
	For nitrogen fertilisers:
	On arable land—1 September to 1 February
	On grassland—15 September to 1 November
	For slurries, poultry manures and liquid-digested sewage sludge:
	On arable land without autumn sown crop: 1 August to 1 November
	On grassland or arable land with autumn sown crop: 1 September to 1 November.
	The current Action Programme does not include variations on a regional basis in England. We are considering responses received to our recent consultation on completing implementation of the Nitrates Directive which have raised this issue.
	(b) Regulation of closed periods:
	The Environment Agency will be responsible for enforcing compliance in the new areas where farmers are required to take action to reduce nitrate pollution, as well as in existing Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. The Agency propose to develop a risk based approach to enforcement, for instance by relating the frequency and nature of inspection to the risk of pollution.

Nitrates

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her policy with respect to nitrate vulnerable zones.

Michael Meacher: Following the Department's recent consultation on how England should complete implementation of the nitrates directive, I hope to be able to announce a decision in May.

Empty Properties

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 240W, regarding the estimated cost and value of empty properties, if all surplus empty properties have been sold within the three year guideline set down by HM Treasury.

Elliot Morley: No. Some surplus properties have been retained for more than three years so that planning issues which significantly enhanced the sale value could be resolved. Disposal of some other properties has been delayed because buyers have not been forthcoming.

Refurbishment

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 25 January 2002, Official Report, column 1161W, on refurbishment, what her estimate is of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by her Department in 2001–02.

Elliot Morley: Refurbishment work carried out in 2001–02 has an estimated value of £6,198,500 (estimated because final accounts have not yet been agreed on all projects). The largest project undertaken last year was the refurbishment of floors two to six of Ergon House in London (£4,300,000).

Refurbishment

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 25 January 2002, Official Report, column 1161W, on refurbishment carried out by her Department, what her estimate is of the cost of refurbishment carried out as part of landlord lease obligations in each of the last four years.

Elliot Morley: The Department does not keep records of work carried out as part of landlords' lease obligations separately from general maintenance work. In many cases the distinction is blurred and it would be difficult to assign the work to one category or the other.

Refurbishment

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 25 January 2002, Official Report, column 1161W, on refurbishment, for what reason the cost in 2000–01 increased by £655,000 over the previous year.

Elliot Morley: Refurbishment programmes vary from year to year depending upon departmental needs and available funding. In 2000–01 significant projects were undertaken on behalf of the British Cattle Movement Service in Workington and the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (now part of the Rural Development Service) at Leeds and Wolverhampton.

Surplus Properties

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 240W, how many surplus properties have been sold in each year since 1997–98; and what is the sum of the proceeds to public funds resulting from the sales.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is set out in the table.
	
		
			   Number of properties sold Total sales income £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 12 19.5 
			 1998–99 7 7.7 
			 1999–2000 17 15.4 
			 2000–01 10 13.1 
			 2001–02 8 18.0

Overtime

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on overtime payments for staff in her Department.

Elliot Morley: In the Department and its agencies the procedures set out below are followed with regard to overtime:
	Prior approval to work overtime must be obtained in all cases;
	Managers are asked to make every effort to avoid overtime working and, as far as possible, ensure that it occurs only at times of exceptional pressure of work;
	Wherever possible, volunteers are sought and weekend overtime avoided;
	A 'long hours culture' is not encouraged nor are regular calls on particular groups of staff; and
	As an alternative to payment, time off in lieu may be taken.
	Staff in the senior civil service, and those who do not work set conditioned hours, or whose pay already includes payment for working overtime, and fee paid staff are not eligible for overtime payments.

Departmental Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the 2002 departmental report will be published.

Elliot Morley: The 2002 departmental reports will be published in spring 2002. The dates will be announced shortly.

Common Agricultural Policy

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she expects the overall cost of the CAP to consumers and taxpayers in the financial year 2001–02 to be higher or lower than the level of 88 billion euros per year specified in the 2001 departmental report.

Elliot Morley: The estimate in the departmental report is drawn from a range of international sources and recent changes in the operation of the CAP have made it difficult to compare current estimates directly. However latest provisional estimates on a consistent basis show the cost of the CAP to consumers and taxpayers in 2000 was euro 85 billion.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 730W, regarding people employed by her Department under the new deal for young people, what discussions she has had with ministers in the departments of Trade and Industry and International Development regarding central collection of statistics on the destinations of new deal participants.

Elliot Morley: To date there have been no discussions with Ministers in the Departments of Trade and Industry and International Development regarding central collection of statistics on the destinations of new deal participants.

Industrial Action

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 26 February 2002, Official Report, column 1191W, on industrial action, what assessment she has made of the effect of the lost days on the service provided by her Department to the public.

Elliot Morley: The main impact of industrial action has been on the Arable Area Payments Scheme where a little over 50 per cent. of payments were made in the first 2 or 3 weeks of the payment window as compared to the normal 60–70 per cent. within that time.
	In other areas of DEFRA's work the effects of industrial action on services to the public were more limited. There were however small delays in administration of the National Scrapie Plan and in administration and payments under the Agri Environment, ERDP, livestock and organic farming schemes.
	With regard to foot and mouth disease, the action did not significantly jeopardise animal health. PCS agreed local dispensations to allow members employed on the FMD Helpline and Licensing Sections to remain working, although in other sections there were some small delays to payment processing.
	Telephone calls to some local DEFRA offices were operated on a reduced service. The Department always took into account the needs of the customers, the taxpayer and the long term working relations in DEFRA.

Broiler Chickens

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many visits have been made by the State Veterinary Service to broiler units since September 2001.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	In the period from 1 September 2001 until 31 March this year, the State Veterinary Service have visited 73 broiler and broiler breeder units.

Broiler Chickens

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the welfare of broiler chickens; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	As part of its inspection programme, the State Veterinary Service visits broiler units to assess all aspects of welfare.

Broiler Chickens

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish new recommendations for the welfare of broiler chickens.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	A new welfare code of recommendations specifically for meat chickens and breeding chickens will shortly be presented to Parliament.

River Bailiffs

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of river bailiffs.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The Environment Agency has advised that it will continue to employ officers with the powers of water bailiffs to meet its statutory duty under the Environment Act 1995 to help maintain, develop and improve salmon, trout and freshwater and eel fisheries.

EC Regulation 2037/2000

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of old fridges which will be shipped to Germany for dismantling in compliance with EC Regulation 2037/2000.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	So far, the Environment Agency has authorised the shipment of approximately 94,500 units for export to Germany. Of these, approximately 3,275 units have been received in Germany and a further 9,615 are in the process of being shipped to Germany for treatment in compliance with EC Regulation 2037/2000. Further applications for 170,350 units have been received by the Environment Agency and these are awaiting a decision.

EC Regulation 2037/2000

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of (a) the cost and (b) the environmental impact of shipping old fridges to Germany for dismantling in compliance with EC Regulation 2037/2000.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The cost of shipping fridges to Germany is a commercial decision, although costs of £18 to £24 per appliance for export is reasonable. The environmental impact of shipping fridges will be minimal because high standards are imposed at the treatment facilities and the materials are recovered for recycling.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money has been paid to farmers under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Elliot Morley: The total payments made to farmers in each of the years since 1991, when the scheme was introduced by the then Countryside Commission, are as follows:
	
		£ million 
		
			  Annual expenditure 
		
		
			 1992–93 5.3 
			 1993–94 8.5 
			 1994–95 10.5 
			 1995–96 11.6 
			 1996–97 10.9 
			 1997–98 15.7 
			 1998–99 19.9 
			 1999–2000 23.4 
			 2000–01 28.9 
			 2001–02(1) 47.3 
			  
			 Total expenditure(2) 182.0 
		
	
	(1) Estimated
	(2) 1992 to 2002

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring systems have been put in place to ensure that farmers participating in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme are managing their land to the standards expected by the programme.

Elliot Morley: To ensure that farmers in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme are managing their land in accordance with their agreements, technical staff from DEFRA's Rural Development Service operate a programme of care and maintenance visits. The programme is structured so that agreement holders are visited in the first year of the agreement and further visits are undertaken where required.
	All our agreement holders are in addition subject to compliance monitoring inspections by staff from the Rural Payments Agency. These inspections are carried out to meet EU and our own audit requirements.

Special Advisers

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many special advisers there were in her Department; and what their salaries were in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 10 April 2002
	DEFRA has two special advisers. As regards their salaries, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 11W.

Regional Development Agencies

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with regional development agencies regarding environmental issues.

Alun Michael: I regularly attend meetings with the chairs of regional development agencies and ministerial colleagues and the Department are frequently in discussion with regional development agencies on a range of issues. If my hon. Friend has a particular concern in mind, I shall be pleased to address it.

Television Sets

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) analogue and (b) integrated digital television sets her Department has purchased in each of the last 24 months; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: From information held centrally, since DEFRA's creation on 8 June 2001, the Department has acquired nine analogue television sets. No digital television sets were acquired. In making decisions on television purchases the Department is required to consider whole life cycle costs when making any purchasing decisions. Whole life costs take account of possible future obsolescence.

Television Sets

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) integrated digital and (b) analogue television sets have been bought by her Department in each of the last 24 months; and if she will publish the guidance given to officials making decisions on television purchases.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 4 February 2002
	From information held centrally, since DEFRAs creation on 8 June 2001, the Department has acquired nine analogue television sets. No digital television sets were acquired. In making decisions on television purchases the Department is required to consider whole life cycle costs when making any purchasing decisions. Whole life costs take account of possible future obsolescence.

Justices of the Peace

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many members of staff at her Department are justices of the peace; and if she has a strategy for her Department to encourage members of staff to become justices of the peace.

Elliot Morley: Available records show that 12 members of staff are justices of the peace.
	The Department actively supports its staff in giving more time to their communities. Staff are allowed varying amounts of paid time off for voluntary public duties (for example, serving as magistrates or school governors). We aim to raise the profile of volunteering and make it easier for staff to give their time and effort to voluntary work.

Correspondence

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Minister of State will reply to the letter of 18 December 2001 from the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) about the Hampshire Avon, abstraction and the Habitats Directive.

Elliot Morley: A reply was sent on 7 March.

Thames Barrier

Chris Pond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the public cost associated with the collision of the Sand Lite with the Thames Barrier.

Elliot Morley: The dredger Sand Kite collided with one of the piers of the Thames Barrier and deposited a quantity of gravel on one of the operating gates. I understand that the remedial works costs to date have been reimbursed to the Environment Agency from the vessel's insurers and have not therefore resulted in any public cost. I further understand that there is some additional remedial painting and removal of gravel from inside the gate recess, to be carried out this summer, that may not be covered by the insurers and may result in a public cost of some £100,000. This is expected be met from Environment Agency's operational budget with a contribution from the Port of London Authority.

Council of Ministers (Fisheries Meeting)

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who attended the fisheries meeting of the EU Council of Ministers on 27 November 2001 on behalf of the UK; and who led the UK delegation.

Elliot Morley: I attended and led for the UK, supported by officials from DEFRA, the Scottish Executive and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland.

Landfill Tax Credit

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to launch a consultation on the future of the landfill tax credit scheme.

Michael Meacher: The Government published on 17 April 2002 a consultation paper on the future of the landfill tax credit scheme. It seeks views on the priorities for funding from revenue currently spent through the landfill tax credit scheme, the merits of different funding mechanisms and any transitional arrangements. The results will feed into the decisions to be made as part of Spending Review 2002.
	Copies of the consultation paper are available from the House Libraries or from the DEFRA website: www.defra.gov.uk.

DEFENCE

Nuclear Weapons

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the transfer of responsibility for the movement of nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom from the Director General Equipment Support (Air) to the Warship Support Agency.

Adam Ingram: The transfer of responsibility for the movement of nuclear weapons from the Director General Equipment Support (Air) to the Warship Support Agency was completed on 26 March 2002. The Ministry of Defence's commitment to nuclear safety and security was maintained throughout the transfer process.

Medical/Dental Staff Pay

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the pay of medical and dental officers in the armed forces.

Geoff Hoon: The supplement to the 2002 report of the armed forces pay review body making recommendations on the pay of service medical and dental officers has been published today. Copies of the supplement are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. I wish to express my thanks to the Chairman and members of the review body for their work in producing this supplement.
	The Review Body recommends an overall pay increase of 4.6 per cent. for all Defence medical services medical and dental officers with the exception of qualified general medical practitioners who will receive an increase of 6.8 per cent. The review body also recommends a 4.6 per cent. increase to the sustained quality payments for general medical practitioners; an increase in trainer pay and a small increase in the value and numbers of distinction awards. In addition, there is a recommendation, which will be reviewed next year, for the introduction of an out-of-hours supplement of £5,000 applicable to junior doctors.
	The additional cost to the Defence budget will be £7.7 million. This will be met within departmental expenditure limits.
	The review body's recommendations are to be accepted in full, with implementation effective from 1 April 2002.

Aircraft

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the shortfall is in the number of pilots for (a) Sea Harriers and (b) RAF Harriers; and what steps the Department is taking to reduce this number.

Adam Ingram: The position as at 1 April 2002 is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Force Established flying posts Strength 
		
		
			 Sea Harrier (3)72 48 
			 Harrier GR7 (4)67 63 
		
	
	(3) This reflects the overall commander, lieutenant commander and junior officer requirement for Sea Harriers, including cockpit manning (front line and training), naval broadening within fleet appointments, staff appointments and exchanges for commanders and below.
	(4) Comprises wing commander, squadron leader and junior officer posts on front line squadrons, operational conversion units, operational evaluation units and wing appointments. In addition to the established flying posts, fast jet pilots are required for instructional duties within the RAF's flying training system, overseas exchange posts, the RAF Aerobatic Team and a number of ground duties shared by all General Duties Branches.
	Addressing the current aircrew shortfalls is a key priority and a number of actions have been taken to reduce the impact of these shortfalls. These include increasing the number of fast jet pilots entering into productive service, returning some middle ranking officers to flying duties and recruiting trained pilots released by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. To improve retention two new financial retention incentives were introduced on 1 April 2002, each linked to a commitment to five years further service.

Aircraft

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) FA2 Sea Harriers and (b) GR7 RAF Harriers are in service.

Adam Ingram: As at 16 April 2002, there were a total of 54 RAF Harrier GR7s and 29 Sea Harrier FA2s in the Actual Operating Fleet. The Actual Operating Fleet is the total number of aircraft available to undertake the defined military task, and may vary day to day.

Aircraft

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Harrier force will leave service; when the joint strike fighter will enter service; and how many JSF aircraft will be procured.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 28 February 2002, Official Report, columns 1451–52W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer), the Sea Harrier FA2s of Joint Force Harrier will be withdrawn from service by 2006.
	The Harrier GR9s of Joint Force Harrier will be withdrawn from service as they are replaced by the future joint combat aircraft (FJCA) and, on current plans, this will be completed in 2015.
	The joint strike fighter has been selected as having the best potential for meeting our FJCA requirement and is currently planned to enter UK service in 2012. Work is currently on-going on numbers required, but our current planning assumption is for some 150 aircraft.

Aircraft

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the reduction in the number of RAF Nimrod patrol aircraft.

Lewis Moonie: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 28 February 2002, Official Report, columns 1452–53W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer).

Aircraft

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of aircraft used by the RAF; and how many of each are operational.

Adam Ingram: On 16 April 2002, there were 821 fixed wing aircraft and 162 rotary wing aircraft in the RAF's Actual Operating Fleet. The breakdown of this figure by aircraft type and number is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 Aircraft type Number of aircraft 
		
		
			 Fixed wing aircraft  
			 BAe 125 ccMk3 6 
			 BAe 146 ccMK2 2 
			 C-17 4 
			 Canberra 5 
			 Chipmunk 2 
			 Dakota 1 
			 Dominie 11 
			 Firefly 45 
			 Harrier GR7 54 
			 Harrier T10 8 
			 Sea Harrier FA2 29 
			 Sea Harrier T8 4 
			 Hawk 115 
			 Hercules C-130J 23 
			 Hercules C-130K 26 
			 Islander 1 
			 Jaguar 43 
			 Jetstream TMk 11 
			 Nimrod MR2 18 
			 Nimrod R1 2 
			 Sentry E-3D AEW Mk1 6 
			 Tornado F3 90 
			 Tornado GR1/4 112 
			 Tristar 9 
			 Tucano Mk1 76 
			 Tutor 99 
			 VC10 19 
			   
			 Rotary Wing Aircraft  
			 Chinook Mk 2/2a 31 
			 Griffin 9 
			 Merlin Mk 3 9 
			 Puma 35 
			 Sea King Mk 3/3a 25 
			 Twin Squirrel 41 
			 Wessex HC2 12 
		
	
	The RAF also operates the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which comprises eight fixed wing aircraft. The breakdown of this figure by aircraft type and number is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 Aircraft type Number of aircraft 
		
		
			 Hurricane 2 
			 Lancaster B1 1 
			 Spitfire 5

Aircraft

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Harrier aircraft will operate under the Joint Force Harrier; and what improvements will be made to the GR9 Harrier to allow the separate Harrier forces to integrate.

Adam Ingram: I assume my hon. Friend to be asking for the number of Harrier aircraft that will operate under Joint Force Harrier following the withdrawal from service of the Sea Harrier by 2006 and that he is referring to improvements planned to the Harrier GR7 aircraft when he asks what improvements will be made to allow the separate Harrier forces to integrate.
	Following the withdrawal from service of the Sea Harrier, the Required Operating Fleet of the Joint Force Harrier is expected to be 51 aircraft. The Required Operating Fleet is the theoretical number of aircraft required by the operational squadrons to undertake the defined military task.
	Thirty Harrier GR7 aircraft will be upgraded to GR7 a standard by the integration of the Pegasus Mk 107 engine. This will provide improved performance, particularly for carrier borne operation. Furthermore, all Harrier GR7 and Harrier GR7a aircraft will receive avionics and weapons upgrades to provide the aircraft with a much improved capability, in particular the ability to deliver the new generation of smart weapons that are about to enter service. These aircraft will be designated Harrier GR9 and Harrier GR9a.

PFI Programmes

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians are employed in connection with MoD PFI programmes.

Adam Ingram: There is a small central team with 15 civilian personnel that is responsible for developing policy and best practice for the Ministry of Defence's Private Finance Initiative (PFI) programme and other types of Public Private Partnership. The central team is supported by smaller teams within the Defence Procurement Agency, Defence Logistics Organisation and other management areas, which are responsible for managing the programmes within their own areas.
	The management and delivery of the PFI programme also involves managers, both military and civilian, at all levels as members of project boards, scrutiny and approving authorities, commercial advisers and customer representatives. MOD legal and finance staffs are also involved, although they usually do not work on PFI programmes full-time.
	PFI projects are run by dedicated integrated project teams, the size of which varies with the size of the project and the stage it has reached in the procurement cycle. The teams can include civilian and military personnel, as well as industry representatives. External consultants may be engaged by project teams. A small number also sit on project boards.
	Once contracts have been signed, they are monitored and are managed by MOD personnel, both civilian and military depending on the services concerned. But contractors' personnel deliver the services themselves and it is up to the contractors to determine the size of the civilian workforce necessary to meet our requirements.
	A substantial number of civilians within and outside the MOD is employed on MOD PFI programmes, full and part-time, in a variety of roles. Information on the number of civilians employed in managing and delivering the programme and individual projects is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Royal Navy

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Fleet's fully operational destroyer and frigate strength will be in December 2002, excluding vessels held at states of low readiness.

Adam Ingram: In December 2002, on current plans, of the Fleet's 32 Frigates and Destroyers, 26 will be operational or engaged in preparing for service, conducting trials or training. The remaining six will be either undergoing docking periods or refit or held at a low level of readiness.

HMS Fearless

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings will be made from the early withdrawal of HMS Fearless.

Adam Ingram: The earlier than previously planned withdrawal of HMS Fearless will accrue savings of at least £2 million. This will be achieved by cancelling a previously programmed assisted maintenance period and through the reduction in operating costs. Moreover, HMS Fearless is nearly 37 years old and is in poor material condition. The unique nature of much of her machinery such as boilers and steam plant make repairs and maintenance difficult and it is highly probable that further unprogrammed and potentially costly work would have been required to maintain her at the previously assumed readiness state.

HMS Illustrious

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the main elements will be in the refit of HMS Illustrious; how long the refit was originally planned to take; and how long it is expected to take.

Adam Ingram: The main elements of HMS Illustrious's refit concern maintenance, repair and improvements to ships systems and equipment to overcome obsolescence, meet safety and environmental legislation and enhance capability in command, control and communications systems and in aviation facilities.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 14W which indicated that the refit was originally planned to take about 23 months. Detailed negotiations with the refitting contractor are currently under way, and may result in some programme adjustment.

HMS Illustrious

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost of the refit of HMS Illustrious is.

Adam Ingram: The refit of HMS Illustrious is estimated to cost approximately £110 million excluding costs attributable to Ministry supplied material and naval manpower.

HMS Illustrious

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 14W, on Navy vessels, how many (a) officers and (b) crew will remain on HMS Illustrious until her refit commences; what their duties will be; how often officers and crew will be redeployed; how many officers and crew will remain with HMS Illustrious during her refit; and what HMS Illustrious's reduced state of readiness will be until October.

Adam Ingram: HMS Illustrious remains fully staffed as the Fleet Flagship until 27 May 2002. Following this her role changes to Standby Preservation by Operation. She requires 15 officers and 196 ratings in this role, whose duties will be essential safety checks, low level maintenance and preservation checks at her reduced state of readiness. On commencement of her refit the crew numbers reduce to nine officers and 36 ratings. Personnel will then be employed as required in support of the refit. They will be subject to normal drafting and appointing notice, but as a reduced manned ship will, as far as possible, be protected from short notice movement of personnel. HMS Illustrious will then gradually build up to achieve full manpower by October 2004.

Helicopter Hangars

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what plans there are to provide temporary helicopter hangars on HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact the absence of hangars on landing platform docks will have on the serviceability of helicopters.

Adam Ingram: There are currently no plans to provide temporary helicopter hangars on the landing platform dock (replacement)s (LPD(R)s HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark although these could be incorporated without fundamental modification of the vessels.
	The lack of hangars on the LPD(R)s will have an impact on the serviceability of helicopters. This impact was taken into account when the decision about a hangar was made and assessed as manageable. HMS Intrepid and HMS Fearless, which HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will replace, were not fitted with helicopter hangars.

Future Rapid Effects System

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Army's Future Rapid Effects System project.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 17 April 2002
	The Army's Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) is in the concept phase. The operational requirement that FRES is expected to meet is close to being finalised. Initial Gate for the programme is planned for the end of 2002. We continue to review our existing armoured fighting vehicle programmes to ensure that they are coherent with the requirement for 'rapid effect'.

Ammunition Stocks

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what ammunition stocks are held in the UK;
	(2)  how the level of stocks of ammunition has changed since 1997.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has a stockpile of munitions held against the risk of short notice conflicts. The method of calculating the size and composition of this stockpile has undergone significant development in the last three years, and it now reflects more accurately the likely nature of the conflicts that the UK armed forces could become involved in. Specific information relating to ammunition stock levels is withheld under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Ammunition Stocks

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has classified the secure supply of ammunition as being of strategic importance.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence has always considered security of supply and value for the taxpayer's money to be key criteria in the procurement of safe and reliable munitions for the armed forces. The issue of security of supply was examined in detail by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee in 1999 and the committee recognised that in balancing security of supply against cost, it is likely that there are very few capabilities that must, on strategic grounds, be retained in the UK.

Ammunition Stocks

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances it is the Government's policy to subsidise ammunition manufacturers in the UK to ensure its supply.

Lewis Moonie: The framework partnering agreement between Royal Ordnance Defence and the Ministry of Defence provides the company with contracted ammunition requirements for a rolling three-year period, firm requirements for a further two years, and a best forecast up to the 10-year point. The agreement is not a subsidy; it is intended to provide a vital link to industry to help ensure the supply of safe and reliable munitions for our armed forces.

Ammunition Stocks

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contractual guarantees exist to safeguard the supply of ammunition by overseas manufacturers in (a) peace and (b) war.

Lewis Moonie: During the past year the Ministry of Defence has only obtained around 8 per cent. (by value) of its ammunition from overseas manufacturers. Supply and re-supply arrangements are taken into account when letting contracts. There is no difference in contractual arrangements for re-supply in peace or war. The supply of military stores and components for the UK armed forces from overseas is not a new venture, as our many collaborative projects demonstrate. Such contracts can meet both our requirements and demonstrate added value for money.

Pilots

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the intake of pilots has been to the (a) RAF and (B) Fleet Air Arm in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: The intake of pilots into the RAF and Fleet Air Arm (FAA) are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year RAF FAA 
		
		
			 1997 110 62 
			 1998 122 50 
			 1999 177 29 
			 2000 157 12 
			 2001 151 41 
		
	
	The FAA figures do not include any Royal Marines pilot entrants who did not enter the FAA.

Decoy Systems

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Active Off-Board Decoy System will become operational on Royal Navy warships.

Lewis Moonie: The Active Off-Board Decoy System is expected to reach operational service in the Royal Navy from early 2004 once sufficient Active Decoy Rounds have been produced. It will be fitted to all major Royal Navy warships, improving their ability to counter anti-ship missiles.

Surface Torpedo Defence System

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest in-service date for the new Surface Torpedo Defence system is; and if he will make a statement on progress on the programme.

Lewis Moonie: The planned in-service date for Surface Ship Torpedo Defence is 2004. Following competition, a lead-in contract was placed with Ultra Electronics, Greenford, Middlesex in November 2001. The contract includes an option for the development, manufacture and support of ship systems.

Multi-role Survey Ship

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to place an order for a third multi-role survey ship.

Lewis Moonie: There are currently no plans for a third multi-role survey ship.

Submarines

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which submarines will be fitted with the Submarine Acoustic Warfare Command System; and when the system will be operational.

Lewis Moonie: The Submarine Acoustic Warfare Command System is planned to be fitted to all Vanguard, Trafalgar and Astute class submarines and those Swiftsure submarines with sufficient remaining life. This capability enables the deployment of defensive countermeasures and will be operational from mid-2002.

PRIME MINISTER

Parliamentary Questions

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the cost was to his Office of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated;
	(2)  how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 929W.

Overtime

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is on overtime payments for staff in his office.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office today.

Romania

Adam Price: To ask the Prime Minister what initiatives he has taken since January 2001 to persuade British companies to invest in Romania; and how many letters he has written for this purpose which were published in the United Kingdom.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him and the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 14 February 2002, Official Report, columns 610–11W.

Transport Links (Devolved Assemblies)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister which Department has responsibility for maintenance of air and sea transport links (a) between those parts of the United Kingdom with devolved Assemblies and (b) between those areas and England.

Tony Blair: The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions is responsible for air and sea transport policy in the United Kingdom. There is a liberalised air and sea transport market within the European Community and the Government do not normally intervene to maintain services, except in the case of certain economically vital 'lifeline' services which would not be commercially viable without subsidy. Any subsidies paid, subject to state aid rules, are the responsibility of the relevant devolved Administrations or local councils.

Overseas Hospitality

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions since May 1997 when he has benefited from the hospitality of an overseas Government (a) when on official business and (b) otherwise.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Collins) on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 986W.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Professional Indemnity Insurance

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many contracts his Department has with consultants; what level of professional indemnity insurance is standard in contracts with small consultants; whether he can make exceptions to the level of professional indemnity insurance; and what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments about the level of professional indemnity insurance.

Alan Whitehead: I am unable to give the hon. Member the answer to the first part of this question as this information is not centrally held, and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	DTLR's contracts require contractors (including consultants) to take out and maintain such insurance as is necessary to cover their liabilities under the contract. The Department has been involved in interdepartmental discussions with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), who issued guidance in April 2001 to all Departments. The guidance encouraged a more flexible approach to contractors' (including consultants) total liability when undertaking Government contracts. DTLR has adopted this approach and either sets a realistic cap on liability (relative to the risks involved) when inviting tenders or is prepared to consider caps proposed by tenderers.

Departmental Annual Report

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish his Department's annual report; and if he will make a statement on the timing of publication.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 17 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 774W.

Departmental Annual Report

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date his Department expects to publish its annual report for 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 774W.

Departmental Annual Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the 2002 departmental report will be published.

Alan Whitehead: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 774W.

Creches

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 984W, regarding creche facilities, when the review of child care provision in his Department will be concluded; and when its recommendations will be announced.

Alan Whitehead: It is expected that the initial stage of the review of child care provision (outlining options) will be concluded during autumn 2002.

Salaries

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what have been the total salary costs of each of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible in each of the last five years.

Alan Whitehead: The total salary costs of each non-departmental public body currently sponsored by the Department for each of the last five years is as follows.
	
		£ million 
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 NDPB  
			 Audit Commission 40.36 43.32 55.72 70.63 (5)n/a 
			 English Partnerships(6) 20.58 22.26 14.03 12.21 n/a 
			 Health and Safety Commission 0.23 0.23 0.25 0.27 (7)0.28 
			 Health and Safety Executive 94.56 96.94 100.27 104.37 (7)109.24 
			 Housing Action Trusts:  
			 Castle Vale 2.30 2.21 2.33 2.27 (7)2.23 
			 Liverpool 2.42 2.47 2.24 2.09 (7)2.03 
			 Stonebridge 1.40 1.65 1.81 1.62 (7)1.24 
			 Tower Hamlets 1.42 0.48 0.39 0.36 (7)0.36 
			 Waltham Forest 0.83 0.35 0.39 0.41 (7)0.36 
			 Housing Corporation 15.42 15.20 16.27 17.51 18.88 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board 5.48 5.17 5.57 5.66 (7)5.92 
			 Standards Board for England — — — — 0.99 
			 Strategic Rail Authority — — — 13.6(8) (7)107.00 
			 Trinity House Lighthouse Service 9.50 9.65 9.53 9.63 9.89 
			   
			 Tribunal NDPBs  
			 Rent Assessment Panels 1.65 1.64 1.68 1.55 1.85 
			 Traffic Commissioners 4.79 4.98 5.30 5.30 5.68 
			 Valuation Tribunals 5.06 4.77 4.47 4.36 4.38 
		
	
	(5) The Audit Commission's financial year ends on 31 October.
	(6) English Partnerships is a national body for regeneration and development bringing together the Urban Regeneration Agency and the Commission for New Towns for which salary costs is provided.
	(7) Forecast
	(8) The Strategic Rail Authority was created on 1 February 2001. The figures also cover the Rail Passengers' Council/Committees and the British Transport police.

Sunset Clauses

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which Bills introduced by his Department in the last five years have contained sunset clauses; and what plans he has for the future use of such clauses.

Alan Whitehead: The Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 contains a sunset clause that will make the provisions expire at the end of 2015. The clause also allows for the Act's provisions to be extended, by secondary legislation, if there is a case for doing so in 2015.
	In accordance with the Government manifesto commitment, DTLR will continue to explore the possibility of time limiting new regulations where appropriate. We are also looking at other ways of ensuring legislation is kept up to date such as reviewing major legislation after it is implemented.

Efficiency Savings

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the target has been in each of the last five years for efficiency savings as a percentage of total running costs for each of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible; and if the target was met.

Alan Whitehead: All executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are required to provide information about the performance and efficiency targets agreed with their sponsoring Department and performance against those targets in their annual reports, copies of which are normally available in the library of the House. These details are not available for advisory and tribunal NDPBs.

Parliamentary Questions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what the cost was to his Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated;
	(2)  how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions.

Alan Whitehead: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by the Leader of the House on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 929W.

Entertainment Costs

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will list for each of the last five years the total amount of money spent by Ministers in his Department on food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for entertainment purposes;
	(2)  how much was spent by departmental special advisers on food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for official entertainment purposes in each of the last five years.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The cost of entertainment, expenditure incurred by Ministers, Private Offices, the Permanent Secretary's Office and special advisers was £13,000 for 1999–2000; £16,000 for 2000–01 and £21,000 for 2001–02.
	The remainder of the information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Special Advisers

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many special advisers there were in his Department; and what their salaries were in each of the last five years;

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the number and expected cost to his Department of special advisers in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

Alan Whitehead: At 13 March, there were two special advisers in my office. On cost, I refer the hon. Members to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 11W.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many Private Finance Initiative projects have been subject to refinancing after the contracts have been signed; and what has been the financial effect in each case.

Alan Whitehead: Three of my Department's Private Finance Initiative road contracts have been refinanced. These are listed, together with the value of the share received from the companies concerned.
	
		
			 Project Operating company £ million 
		
		
			 A19/A168 Dishforth-Tyne Tunnel Autolink Concessionaires A19 Ltd. 1.5 
			 M1-A1 Link Yorkshire Link Ltd. — 
			 M40 Denham-Warwick UK Highways Ltd. 1.6

Local Government

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps are being taken to update the former Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Indices of Deprivation, by local government ward basis.

Sally Keeble: My Department has just issued an invitation to tender to a number of consultants for a research project to explore updating the Indices of Deprivation 2000. The contract has five broad objectives. These are:
	To produce options for strengthening the ID 2000. This will be based on a conceptualisation of how multiple deprivation should be measured. It needs to build on proposed areas for further development identified in the 1999 review. It should include a review of literature on the measurement of deprivation since 1999.
	To assess how practical it will be to implement these options by investigating the availability of data that have, or are about to, come on stream since the 1999 review including availability of 2001 Census data.
	To assess the potential to provide a general updating both to the current indicators and the 1998 ward boundaries that underpin the ID 2000.
	To assess the potential of further developing the ID 2000 to a sub-ward geography.
	To revise the ID 2000 as appropriate.
	The methodology for indices of deprivation was subject to an extensive review in 1999. This project builds on this review and consideration of methodological issues is focused on introducing new domains or better data and the review of literature on the measurement of deprivation since 1999 which should inform ideas on how the ID 2000 may be strengthened.

Employment Tribunals

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many employment tribunal cases have been brought against his Department and its predecessor in each year since 1997; and how much his Department has spent on defending employment tribunal cases in this period.

Stephen Byers: Information is not held in a manner which would allow the question to be answered without disproportionate expense.

Disciplinary Action

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, 
	(1)  pursuant to his answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 982W, how many members of staff have been the subject of disciplinary action as a result of the internal leak inquiry;
	(2)  pursuant to his answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 986W, if Ian Jones is (a) still employed by his Department, (b) still suspended on full pay and (c) the subject of disciplinary action.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 15 April 2002
	Staffing and disciplinary matters are handled within the Department in accordance with the DTLR staff handbook. Within that framework personnel matters relating to individuals are a confidential matter between them and the Department.

Former Press Officers

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the contractual position is of his Department with (a) Martin Sixsmith and (b) Jo Moore.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the statement the Permanent Secretary of my Department made on 25 February 2002, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Former Press Officers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has sought counsel's advice on his Department's position in relation to his Department's employment of Mr. Martin Sixsmith.

Stephen Byers: It is not the normal practice to disclose whether legal advice has been taken (paragraph 7 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information refers).

Former Press Officers

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when (a) he and (b) the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions last met the First Division Association to discuss the status of (i) Jo Moore and (ii) Mr. Martin Sixsmith.

Stephen Byers: I have had no such discussions. The Permanent Secretary exceptionally described some discussions in his statement of 25 February 2002. It is not the practice to provide details of any such discussions (paragraph 7 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information refers).

Blue Badge Scheme

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will introduce a temporary blue badge scheme; and if he will make a statement.
	(2)  what plans he has to speed up the processing of applications for blue badges.

Sally Keeble: The administration of the blue badge scheme is the responsibility of individual local authorities. When they have received the information they require to process an application they should be expected to do so without delay.
	A comprehensive review of the blue badge scheme is currently being undertaken by my Department, which will look at the administration of the scheme and will also consider the case for temporary badges. Consultation on a discussion paper, which was issued to the main stakeholders, including disability organisations and local authorities, ended recently. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC- our statutory advisers on the transport and mobility needs of disabled people) are considering responses and are due to report their recommendations to the Secretary of State around the end of this month. In the light of those recommendations we aim to decide on the way forward with the scheme over the summer.

Parish Councillors

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many parish councillors have resigned in each month since 1 January.

Alan Whitehead: The Department does not collect information on the number of councillors who resign from local authorities.

Drug Abuse

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what resources his Department make available to local authorities to help them combat drug abuse.

Alan Whitehead: The Government provide general grant for revenue expenditure through the local government finance settlement. It is for the local authorities themselves to determine how much of these resources they direct towards combating drug abuse. Government also provides the following ring-fenced grants to local authorities:
	A grant to support local Young People's Substance Misuse Planning (set at £4.5 million for 2002–03);
	A grant for drug prevention in schools, provided through the Schools Standards Fund (£9.5 million for 2002–03).
	The majority of earmarked funding for combating drug abuse is provided to local Drug Action Teams, within which the local authorities have a key role. Details of this funding were given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Anti-Drugs Co-ordination and Organised Crime in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on 29 January 2002, Official Report, columns 295–96W.

Vacant Dwellings

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on the housing market of vacant dwellings (a) in England and (b) in the local area.

Stephen Byers: In our assessment, in areas where the housing market is functioning well, vacant dwellings may lead to increased pressure on the housing stock and for development on greenfield land. They may also blight neighbouring properties. In areas of low housing demand, where the proportion of vacant dwellings may be more highly concentrated, they can escalate the decline of an area, act as a magnet for crime, vandalism, arson and antisocial behaviour and create negative equity problems for those living in adjacent dwellings.
	Local authorities are responsible for assessing the effect of vacant dwellings on the local housing market and for developing strategies to minimise their number, as part of their wider housing strategy.

Vacant Dwellings

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many vacant dwellings there were and how many vacant dwellings were privately owned in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Stephen Byers: I have placed the information requested in the Libraries of the House. The table presents data showing the total number of vacant dwellings and how many of these were privately owned at 1 April in each local authority area in England for the last five years (1997–2001).

Vacant Dwellings

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many vacant dwellings that have been (a) vacant for more than six months, (b) vacant for between three to six months and (c) vacant for less than three months, are waiting to be (i) sold, (ii) let and (iii) redeveloped.

Stephen Byers: The information is not available in the form requested.

Vacant Dwellings

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many vacant dwellings there were and how many were privately owned in each of the last five years; and how many were vacant (a) for more than six months, (b) between three to six months and (c) for less than three months.

Stephen Byers: The number of vacant dwellings in England on 1 April in each of the last five years is shown in the table, together with the number that were privately owned.
	
		Number of vacant dwellings in England at 1 April
		
			of which: 
			   Total vacant Privately owned 
		
		
			 2001 755,100 622,600 
			 2000 760,500 623,200 
			 1999 767,000 637,000 
			 1998 753,300 623,300 
			 1997 767,200 640,200 
		
	
	Information on the length of time dwellings were vacant is not available in the form requested.

Mobile Telephone Masts

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure mobile telephone masts should receive positive planning permission, regardless of their height.

Sally Keeble: On 22 August last year we introduced changes that significantly improved the planning procedures and guidance for telecommunications mast development. The changes, which included, amendments to the 1995 Order:
	strengthened public consultation requirements on mast proposals of 15 metres and below so that they are the same as for planning applications;
	increased the time for an authority to deal with prior approval applications to 56 days;
	underlined that school governors must be consulted on all proposals for new masts on or near a school or college; and
	increased fees to enable authorities to carry out full public consultation.
	We have no plans to amend further the planning arrangements for telecommunications development.

Sustainable Development

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will define the phrase "sustainable development" as used by his Department.

Stephen Byers: My Department's approach to sustainable development is consistent with the Government's overall sustainable development strategy "A better quality of life" (Cm 4345) published in May 1999. The strategy has four main aims:
	Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;
	Effective protection of the environment;
	Prudent use of natural resources;
	Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.

Fire Service

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 228W, on the cost of rescues by the fire service, what is the most recent guidance he has given to chief fire officers on recording the costs of (a) fires attended, (b) rescues from road traffic accidents and (c) other rescues by their fire authority.

Alan Whitehead: Following the introduction of Best Value, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy published revised accounting guidance "Best Value Accounting—Code of Practice" for local authorities. Best Value authorities, including fire authorities, are subject to the revised guidance from 1 April 2001. The Code is reviewed on an annual basis. It contains sections on service expenditure analysis, including one on the provision of fire services.

Shopping Centres

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy (a) towards new out of town shopping centre developments and (b) on new shopping centre developments within existing towns.

Stephen Byers: The Government's planning policy for town centres and retail developments, which is contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note 6: Town Centres and Retail Developments (PPG6), seeks to sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of our existing city, town and district centres to make them the focus for retail and other investment. The policy contributes to delivering the urban renaissance, securing more sustainable patterns of development and promoting social inclusion.
	Proposals for new developments within existing city, town and district centres are not subject to the main policy tests in PPG6. They should, however, be in accordance with an up-to-date development plan and of a scale that is appropriately related to the size and function of centre, and its catchment, that they seek to serve.
	Development proposals for new shopping centres outside city, town and district centres, or extensions to existing ones, are subject to the policy tests in PPG6. Where proposals are not in accord with an up-to-date development plan there is a requirement to demonstrate the need for any additional retail provision and to apply a sequential approach to selecting the location, starting with town centre sites, followed by edge-of-centre and only then out-of-centre sites in locations which are accessible by a choice of means of transport. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that in considering more central locations they have been flexible about the format, scale and design of their development proposals and the amount of car parking.
	A shopping centre proposal which a local planning authority is minded to permit and which is not in accord with the development plan for the area should be referred to my Department in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation) (Departures) Directions 1999. The Town and Country Planning (Shopping Development) (England and Wales) (No.2) Direction 1993 requires referral of applications for retail proposals above a prescribed size. In the case of referral under either Direction, the Secretary of State will then decide whether the proposal should be called in for his own determination.

Shopping Centres

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to alter planning guidance and regulations relating to shopping centre developments;and if he will list the changes to planning guidance and planning regulations relating to shopping centre developments since 1997.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 17 April 2002
	We have no plans to alter planning guidance and regulations relating to shopping centre developments.
	There have been no changes to the policy since 1997, but it has been clarified through the following official statements and documents:
	the Government Response (July 1997) to the House of Commons Environment Committee's report, "Shopping Centres" (1996–97), which reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the policy in PPG6;
	the parliamentary answer of 5 December 1997 (Hansard Vol. 302, columns 401–402) by the Minister for Planning, clarifying that extensions to existing retail developments would be subject to the same policy tests as new development;
	the statement of 11 February 1999 by the Minister for Planning, clarifying that the need for new retail development should be taken into account in assessing development proposals; and
	the Government Response (May 2000) to the House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's report on "The Environmental Impact of Supermarket Competition" (1999–2000), which among other issues, clarified how the sequential approach should be used to assess new retail development.
	The revision of PPG13: "Transport", published last year, supports PPG6 in identifying preferred locations for key town centre uses, including offices. It introduced maximum parking standards for shopping and other town centre developments.
	The Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation)(Departures) Directions 1999 reduced the floorspace threshold under which local planning authorities are required to refer to the Secretary of State planning applications involving retail and other commercial uses, from 10,000 to 5,000 square metres.

Shopping Centres

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish a list of shopping centre planning applications that have been called in by his Department and the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions since 1997.

Stephen Byers: Since 1997, 30 shopping centre applications have been called in for the Secretary of State's determination. These are listed by region. For the purposes of the question shopping centres are developments involving 5,000 square metres or more of floorspace, including factory outlet centres. They do not include retail warehouse parks, individual freestanding retail warehouses, warehouse clubs or supermarkets.
	
		
			 Date of call-in Location of application 
		
		
			 North-west  
			 January 1998 Town Square Centre, Oldham, Greater Manchester 
			 December 1999 Linkway, Bolton, Greater Manchester 
			 September 2000 Ashton Road, Denton, Tameside, Greater Manchester 
			 May 2001 Frontierland, Morecambe, Lancaster, Lancashire 
			   
			 North-east  
			 June 1997 Backworth, Tyne and Wear 
			 January 1999 Dalton Flatts, Murton, Easington, Co. Durham 
			 March 1999 Red Quadrant, Metrocentre, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear 
			 April 2001 Dalton Flatts, Murton, Easington, Co. Durham 
			   
			  Yorkshire and the Humber 
			 May 2000 Gannex Mills, Elland, Halifax, West Yorkshire 
			 April 2001 Castlegate/Piccadilly, York 
			   
			 West Midlands  
			 January 1999 Arena Central, Birmingham 
			 July 2000 Overross, Ross On Wye, Herefordshire 
			   
			 East Midlands  
			 April 2000 Springfields Gardens, Spalding, Lincolnshire 
			 May 2001 Springfield Business Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire 
			 East of England  
			 July 2001 Belvedere Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk 
			   
			 London  
			 September 1998 Brent Cross, Hendon Way, London 
			   
			 South-west  
			 October 1997 Broadmoor Farm, Saltash, Cornwall 
			 October 1998 Victoria Park, Roche, Cornwall 
			 July 1999 Flowers Brewery Site, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 
			 January 2000 Aldermeads, Wincanton, Somerset 
			 October 2000 Symes Avenue, Bristol 
			   
			 South-east  
			 May 1998 Bracknell Town Centre, Berkshire (two applications) 
			 October 1998 Main Square, Camberley, Surrey (three applications) 
			 March 1999 Bietigheim Way, Main Square, Camberley, Surrey 
			 October 1999 Main Square/Park Street, Camberley, Surrey (two applications) 
			 February 2001 Westgate Shopping Centre, Oxford

Planning

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will deposit in the Library copies of the responses to the Planning Green Paper.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 15 April 2002
	I will place a list of respondents in the Libraries of the House. Because of the large number involved, over 14,000, copies of the responses will be made available for public inspection in my Department's library once they have been analysed.

Planning

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will assess the (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of including demolition as part of the planning process.

Sally Keeble: Demolition of buildings is already part of the planning process. Generally speaking, the demolition of non-residential buildings does not constitute "development" (as defined in section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990), and consequently no planning permission is required. However, the demolition of a residential building does constitute development for which a permitted development right has been granted by Part 31 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. This means that, instead of having to submit an application for planning permission for the demolition of a residential building, a developer has to apply to the local planning authority for a determination as to whether prior approval is required for the proposed method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the site. Planning authorities also have powers—subject to approval by the Secretary of State—to require planning applications for demolition of residential property, where amenity would be seriously threatened.
	In addition, listed building consent is required for the demolition of any listed building, and conservation area consent is required for the demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area.
	We are considering whether to introduce any changes to the existing demolition controls as part of our current review of the planning system and in taking forward work arising from the Government's Heritage Statement "The Historic Environment: A Force for Our Future".

Planning

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make it his policy to require planning permission for buildings as part of the planning process; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: Putting up a building usually amounts to "development", for which planning permission is required. However, Parliament has granted a general planning permission or "permitted development right" to carry out certain types of minor development without the need to submit an application. This removes a large burden of unnecessary planning work from local authorities.

Leasehold Advisory Service

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much funding has been granted to the Leasehold Advisory Service in each of the last five years; and what the appointment arrangements are for members of the LEASE board.

Stephen Byers: Funding for the Leasehold Advisory Service for each of the last five financial years has been as follows:
	1997–98
	£309,885 (Including £1,000 from the Welsh Office and £38,326 from the private sector.)
	1998–99
	£268,322 (Including £1,000 from the Welsh Office and £26,622 from the private sector.)
	1999–2000
	£315,582 (Including £2,000 from the National Assembly for Wales and £12,700 from the private sector.)
	2000–01
	£398,000 (Including £2,000 from the National Assembly for Wales.)
	2001–02
	£489,700 (Including £4,700 from the National Assembly for Wales.)
	The Leasehold Advisory Service is a private sector company, limited by guarantee. The arrangements for the appointment of its board members are governed by its memorandum and articles of association, copies of which are available from Companies House.

Homelessness

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many homeless people there were (a) in absolute terms and (b) as a proportion of the population in each local authority district or unitary authority in England and Wales, at the latest date for which figures are available.

Sally Keeble: Summary information on activity under statutory homelessness provisions is reported to the Department each quarter by local authorities in England. This includes the number of households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need.
	National and some regional information on local authorities' activity is provided in a quarterly Statistical Release published by the Department. Key summary information at local authority and regional level is set out in associated supplementary table; this includes the number of households accepted, and this number is also expressed as a rate per thousand households living in the local authority area. Copies are available in the Library, and also via the Department's website. The latest version, published on 14 March, presents statistics for the period October to December 2001.
	For corresponding information about Welsh authorities, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Homelessness

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what funding will be available to local authorities in order to help them to implement the new duties imposed on them by the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Priority Needs Order.

Stephen Byers: The Government have provided an additional £8 million per annum (through the local government finance settlement, with effect from 2001–02) to compensate local authorities for the revenue costs of implementing the Homelessness Act and the priority needs order.
	In response to the homelessness report, 'More than a roof', I confirmed that the Government will allocate additional resources in order to help local authorities deliver the priority needs order. A further announcement on this will be made when the election purdah period is over.

Homelessness

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what funding will be available to the National Homelessness Directorate over the next three years; and how much money will go to (a) the BBU, (b) the RSU and (c) the Hostels Inspectorate.

Stephen Byers: The DTLR has allocated £35 million to the Bed and Breakfast Unit and £30 million to the Rough Sleepers Unit for this financial year. Funding from April 2003 onwards is dependent on the outcome of Spending Review 2002.
	As was stated in the document 'More than a roof' we are currently exploring the feasibility of establishing a hostels 'inspectorate'.

Right to Buy

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent representations he has received on the incidence of commercial property companies offering local authority tenants a cash incentive to exercise the right to buy their home; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: We are aware of concerns that the right to buy scheme is being exploited in various ways. We have commissioned research into what is happening, including the effect on the housing market. The results will be made publicly available when the work is completed.

Right to Buy

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many council properties were sold under the right to buy in each year since 1980.

Sally Keeble: The latest information on right to buy sales by local authorities and new towns in each year since the scheme's introduction in October 1980 is presented in the table:
	
		
			   Total sales completed under RTB 
		
		
			 1980–81 2,300 
			 1981–82 106,600 
			 1982–83 168,700 
			 1983–84 107,500 
			 1984–85 78,500 
			 1985–86 72,600 
			 1986–87 77,400 
			 1987–88 94,600 
			 1988–89 137,000 
			 1989–90 134,900 
			 1990–91 76,600 
			 1991–92 48,500 
			 1992–93 37,900 
			 1993–94 44,900 
			 1994–95 43,300 
			 1995–96 31,500 
			 1996–97 33,200 
			 1997–98 41,300 
			 1998–99 40,300 
			 1999–2000 54,300 
			 2000–01 52,000 
			 2001(9) 23,800 
			 Total 1,507,600 
		
	
	(9) April to September.
	Note:
	Includes sales under shared ownership arrangements;
	Excludes sales under rent to mortgage.
	Source:
	DTLR PI(B) quarterly housing activity returns, and new town returns.
	Tables showing reported information on right to buy and other sales and stock transfers by each local authority in England, along with national and regional summaries, for each year since 1979–80, are available in the Libraries of the House.

Heathrow

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what restrictions on night flights at Heathrow airport apply; what information he has collated on the rules that apply at other European hub airports; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such restrictions on Heathrow's competitive position.

David Jamieson: The present night restrictions for Heathrow are as we announced on 10 June 1999, Official Report, columns 378–380. These restrictions came into effect on 31 October 1999 and apply until the end of the summer season 2004. Information on assessments made prior to the introduction of these restrictions and a comparison of the principal night flight restrictions at major international airports were published in "Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted: Second Stage Consultation Paper" in November 1998, of which copies were placed in the Libraries of the House, Official Report, columns 492–493.
	Appropriate up-to-date information will be published in a consultation paper when we put forward proposals for the next night noise regime for the BAA London airports.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has sole responsibility for drafting and presentation of certificates of registry; and which office within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has authority to draft certificates of registry.

David Jamieson: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Registry of Shipping and Seamen at Cardiff is responsible for issuing all certificates of registry for UK vessels.

Ferry Services

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has made regarding the proposed EU directive on minimum conditions of service and wages for seafarers on intra-community ferry services.

David Jamieson: We have made representations in support of the proposed EC directive on manning conditions for regular passenger and ferry services operating between member states.

Transport Links (Isle of Wight)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department or its agencies have for the improvement of transport links between the Isle of Wight and the mainland of Great Britain.

David Jamieson: Improvements to the transport links between the island and the mainland are primarily for the Isle of Wight council to consider as part of their local transport plan work and in liaison with mainland local authorities and private sector ferry and hovercraft operators. My Department has frequent discussions with the council about its local transport plan, including recent proposals to improve interchange facilities at Ryde.

Transport Links (Isle of Wight)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has received for improvements to the railway network of the Isle of Wight.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) will make recommendations regarding the future of the rail network on the Isle of Wight in due course. The current franchise will expire in September 2003, and the SRA is currently working to define what it would expect a new franchise agreement to deliver.

Channel Tunnel

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the provision of services facilitating the carriage of passengers or goods by rail from Scotland to the continent by way of the Channel Tunnel, pursuant to the provisions of the Transport Act 2000.

David Jamieson: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 741W.

Overturned Lorries

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many lorries overturned on British roads in each of the last five years; and how many overturned on the (a) A12, (b) A14, (c) A140 and (d) B1113 in each of the last five years.

Stephen Byers: The information is not available in the form requested.

New Bypasses

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the status of the 100 new bypasses outlined in the 10-year Transport Plan; and if he will list the (a) start and (b) completion date for each.

David Jamieson: The 10-year plan provided funds for up to 30 trunk road bypasses and up to 70 bypasses on local roads over the 10-year plan period. 24 schemes which bypass settlements were in the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) when the plan was published. Nine further such schemes have been added to the TPI since then and 17 more trunk road bypasses are subject to on-going multi-modal and other studies. Of these schemes 16 have started.
	
		
			 Scheme Actual/Estimated Date of Start of Construction Estimated Date Available For Use 
		
		
			 A27 Polegate Bypass October 2000 2002–03 
			 A43 Silverstone Bypass February 2001 2002–03 
			 A43 Whitfield Turn-Brackley Hatch Improvement February 2001 2002–03 
			 A6 Great Glen Bypass April 2001 2002–03 
			 A66 Stainburn and Great Clifton Bypass July 2001 2002–03 
			 A6 Clapham Bypass May 2001 2003–04 
			 A500 Basford, Hough, Shavington Bypass June 2001 2003–04 
			 A650 Bingley Relief Road July 2001 2003–04 
			 A120 Stansted-Braintree Improvement July 2001 2003–04 
			 A41 Aston Clinton Bypass August 2001 2003–04 
			 A63 Selby Bypass October 2001 2003–04 
			 A5 Nesscliffe Bypass March 2002 2003–04 
			 A6 Rothwell-Desborough Bypass 2002–03 2003–04 
			 A6 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Bypass 2002–03 2003–04 
			 A46 Newark-Lincoln October 2001 2003–04 
			 A6 Alvaston 2002–03 2004–05 
			 A10 Wadesmill-Colliers End 2002–03 2004–05 
			 A21 Lamberhurst Bypass 2002–03 2004–05 
			 A5 Weeford-Fazeley Improvement 2003–04 2004–05 
			 A1(M) Wetherby—Walshford 2002–03 2005–06 
			 A421 Great Barford Bypass 2004–05 2006–07 
			 A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor 2002–03 2006–07 
			 A30 Bodmin-Indian Queens 2004–05 2006–07 
			 A66 Temple Sowerby Bypass 2004–05 2006–07 
			 A595 Parton-Lillyhall Improvement 2005–06 2007–08 
			 A38 Dobwalls Bypass 2005–06 2007–08 
			 A11 Fiveways to Thetford 2005–06 2007–08 
			 A419 Blunsdon Bypass 2006–07 2007–08 
			 A47 Thorney Bypass 2006–07 2008–09 
			 A483 Pant—Llanymynech Bypass 2006–07 2008–09 
			 A3 Hindhead 2005–06 2008–09 
			 A46 Newark-Widmerpool 2006–07 2008–09 
			 A303 Stonehenge 2005–06 2008–09 
		
	
	Of the 76 local road schemes approved (or approved subject to statutory procedures) through the local transport plans process, 33 are bypasses. Start and completion dates are subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures which are currently being taken forward by the relevant local authorities.

Motorways

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if it is his policy to prevent new buildings being erected adjacent to motorways to ensure that the costs of future motorway widening are kept to a minimum.

Sally Keeble: Where the Secretary of State intends to build a new road, or improve an existing one, he has powers to require the relevant local planning authority to notify him of any planning application affecting the line of that road.
	To avoid unnecessary blight, these powers are exercised on behalf of the Secretary of State by the Highways Agency usually when the preferred route is announced. He then has a further power to direct that planning permission shall not be granted if the proposed development would prejudice the road proposal.

Motorways

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has to reduce congestion on the northbound carriageway of the M1 Motorway at its junction with the M25.

David Jamieson: The London to South Midlands Multi Modal Study is examining current and future travel problems between London and the South Midlands, including congestion on the southern section of the M1 Motorway.

Congestion

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what is the average length of time per day, in hours per car, that cars are stationary on each road of the trunk road network;
	(2)  what the average road speed is on each trunk road in the UK in (a) the rush hour, (b) non rush hour periods, (c) over the course of a week, (d) over the course of a whole week day and (e) over the course of the weekend.

Stephen Byers: The information is not available in the form requested.

Congestion

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure to through traffic of roads in London on congestion levels since 1992.

David Jamieson: My Department does not collect such information centrally. Assessment of the traffic impacts of road closures is a matter for the relevant highway or police authorities in each particular case.

Environmental Targets

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what assessment has been made of progress towards the environmental targets set as part of the 10-year plan; and if he will place it in the Library;
	(2)  what environmental targets have been set as part of the 10-year transport plan.

Stephen Byers: The 10-Year Plan for transport will contribute to the achievement of a number of the Government's environmental targets. "Transport 2010: The 10-Year Plan", Annex 2, lists the principal targets in the plan. Copies are in the Libraries of the House. In July we intend to publish the first report on the 10-Year Plan for Transport. The report will allow us to update the plan and take account of new developments, as well as reporting on our progress to date.

Environmental Assessments

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessments he has made of the environmental effects of electricity generation for rail use; and what comparisons he has made with the use of diesel locomotives.

Stephen Byers: The SRA commissioned work on the railway's environmental impact during 2001. The results are sensitive to factors such as the mix of sources of electricity generation, the type of diesel traction, and operational factors such as speed or loading. Given the current mix of fossil fuel, nuclear and other generative sources, carbon dioxide emissions per passenger km attributed to electric long haul express trains are about half those of some comparable diesel trains currently in operation. It is likely that the on-going introduction of more modern diesel trains will reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
	With the exception of sulphur oxides, most of rail's emissions of particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds are from diesel trains. Again, the on-going introduction of more modern diesel locomotives offers benefits—for example, reducing the level of emissions per tonne-km of these pollutants.

Environmental Assessments

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated environmental benefit is of increasing the number passenger kilometres of rail use by (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent., (c) 30 per cent., (d) 40 per cent., (e) 50 per cent. and (f) 60 per cent. by 2010–11.

Stephen Byers: The environmental effect will vary depending on how the increase in rail passenger kilometres is achieved. An increase in rail use will, in general, cause an increase in emissions from the rail sector. However, to the extent that this is achieved through modal shift from more environmentally damaging modes, and accompanied by greater use of more fuel efficient rolling stock, there will be offsetting benefits.

Environmental Assessments

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment has been made as to the danger resulting from particulate emissions from road vehicles.

Stephen Byers: The Government's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) is charged with advising the Government on the effects of pollutant types on human health. Their 'Statement on Long-Term Effects of Particles on Mortality' published in April 2001, gave a detailed assessment of the effects of particulate emissions on human health, including those from road transport. This can be seen at the Department of Health's website at www.doh.gov.uk/comeap/.
	A summary of COMEAP's findings was also included in the Government's 'Air Quality Strategy Consultation Document on Proposals for Air Quality Objectives for Particles, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide and Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds', published in September 2001. Both reports were placed in the Libraries of the House on publication.

Vehicle Emissions

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average level is of (a) carbon dioxide, (b) carbon monoxide, (c) benzene, (d) nitrogen oxide, (e) hydrocarbon, (f) lead, (g) sulphur dioxide and (h) particulate emissions, per mile, from (1) cars, (2) motorcycles, (3) vans and (4) HGVs travelling at (i) five mph, (ii) 10 mph, (iii) 20 mph, (iv) 30 mph, (v) 45 mph, (vi) 60 mph, (vii) 70 mph and (viii) 80 mph.

Stephen Byers: Detailed information on the emissions of key pollutants by various road vehicles running at different drive cycles is available from the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) website at http://www.naei.org.uk/emissions/index.php.
	Raw data for emissions of pollutant species at different speeds are also available on a separate website http:// www.stanger.co.uk/airqual/modelhlp.

Vehicle Emissions

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what the average level is of (a) carbon dioxide, (b) carbon monoxide, (c) benzene, (d) nitrogen oxide, (e) hydrocarbon, (f) lead, (g) sulphur dioxide and (h) particulate emissions, per hour, from (1) cars, (2) motorcycles, (3) vans and (4) HGVs, at rest with the motor running;
	(2)  what the average level is of (a) carbon dioxide, (b) carbon monoxide, (c) benzene, (d) nitrogen oxide, (e) hydrocarbon, (f) lead, (g) sulphur dioxide and (h) particulate emissions resulting from vehicle use of the fuels (i) Cngas, (ii) Lpgas, (iii) biodiesels, (iv) LNG, (v) E10 bioethanol blends and (vi) E85 bioethanol blends; and if he will place in the Library details of the supporting scientific evidence.

Stephen Byers: The information is not available in the form requested.

Chiltern Franchise Renewal Agreement

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on clause 44 of the Chiltern Franchise Renewal Agreement.

David Jamieson: Clause 44 of the Chiltern Franchise Renewal Agreement refers to miscellaneous provisions. The items covered are: variations in writing; waivers; disregard tolerances; change of framework; time limits; payments to be free and clear; partial invalidity; further assurance; rights of third parties; relationship with previous franchise agreement; and Authority's consent or approval.

Railway Use

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many railway journeys have a standard single fare of less than £10; and how many such journeys were undertaken in the last year for which information is available.

David Jamieson: This information is not held centrally.

Railway Use

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  how many passengers per year travel between Waterloo and (a) Southampton Central station, (b) Lymington Pier station, (c) Portsmouth and Southsea station, (d) Portsmouth Harbour station and (e) stations on the Island line;
	(2)  what information he collects on the number of journeys between different railway stations.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority's (SRA's) annual report provides details of train miles, passenger miles, passenger journeys, route miles operated and the number of stations operated by each train operating company. The SRA's publication "National Rail Trends" provides quarterly figures on passenger kilometres and passenger journeys by ticket type and sector. Copies of the Annual report and "National Rail Trends" are placed in the Library of the House. Further information on particular journeys may be available from train operators.

Railway Use

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the estimated reduction in passenger kilometres travelled by road resulting from increasing the number passenger kilometres of rail use by (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent., (c) 30 per cent., (d) 40 per cent., (e) 50 per cent. and (f) 60 per cent.

Stephen Byers: The reduction in road passenger kilometres resulting from an increase in the number of rail passenger kilometres will vary with the factors which have brought about the increase in rail passenger kilometres.

Rail Investment

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what private investment in railway infrastructure projects has been made since the start of the 10-year plan and into which projects; and what private investment is forecast for (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004.

David Jamieson: Nearly £7 billion of private sector investment has already been committed for the 10-Year plan period covering renewals and enhancement investment, rolling-stock investment and the CTRL. Over £1 billion has come since the turn of the year alone, through the GNER extension, Chiltern refranchise and South Central rolling stock order. Private sector investment will continue to be levered in through the franchising process, special purpose vehicles and specific funding schemes such as the Rail Passenger Partnership fund.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many railheads there are in the Greater London area.

Stephen Byers: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Telford (David Wright) on 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 663W.

Railways

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on Network Rail's plans for developing services on the West Coast mainline.

David Jamieson: This is a matter for Network Rail.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans exist for (a) electrification of lines from Hurst Green to Uckfield, (b) electrification of lines from Hastings to Ashford, (c) station improvements on the South Central line, (d) increased depot capacity, (e) platform lengthening, (f) the refurbishment of all power-door rolling stock on the South Central line, (g) enhancements at Gatwick airport for performance and capacity gains, (h) infrastructure work on the Brighton main line, (i) infrastructure facilities to allow faster trains to overtake slower stopping services on the Coastway route, (j) upgrade of the Arun valley line and (k) upgrade of the Sutton route, on the South Central route; and what is the expected (i) start date and (ii) completion date for such work.

Stephen Byers: The Heads of Terms for a new 20-year South Central franchise, signed by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and Govia on 24 October 2000, include these commitments. I expect the SRA to be able to sign a new franchise agreement with Govia later this year.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from (a) Govia, (b) the SRA, (c) Railtrack plc and its administrators and (d) Network Rail, with respect to the SPV being developed by Govia to upgrade infrastructure around London and the south coast.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 15 April 2002
	I have received no such representations.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what funds are available as part of the SRA plan for the development of additional railheads in the Greater London area;
	(2)  what assessment has been made as to the number of additional railheads required in the Greater London area in order to meet the growth targets for rail freight in the SRA plan and the 10-year transport plan.

Stephen Byers: The Strategic Rail Authority's Freight Strategy, published last year, explains in detail the authority's funding strategy and its assessment of the future need for rail freight interchanges.
	A copy of the SRA's Freight Strategy is available in the Libraries of the House.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Second Railway package.

David Jamieson: The Commission published its second railway package on 23 January. It includes formal proposals to complete liberalisation of rail freight markets, on safety, interoperability, the creation of a European Rail Agency and Community accession to the COTIF convention (the convention concerning international carriage by rail).
	The Communication also outlines the Commission's strategy for the next five years, including consideration of proposals on the quality of rail freight services; overcoming the barriers to entry to, and providing high-quality infrastructure for, European rail freight; improving the environmental performance of rail freight; extending liberalisation of international passenger services; and improving passenger rights.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department had with Swiftrail between 7 October and 25 March.

David Jamieson: It is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

Railways

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the terms of reference are of the study commissioned by the Strategic Rail Authority into a high speed rail link from London to the north.

David Jamieson: The SRA are conducting a feasibility study to determine the need for, and viability of a new north-south high speed passenger line. The study, which will report by the end of the year, will consider and compare a wide range of rail capacity enhancement options which may be required to satisfy the long term growth in demand for north-south passenger movements.

Rail Safety

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, ref. 45304, on rolling stock, if the Railway Safety Regulations 1999 prohibit steam locomotives from operating on the main network unless protected by TPWS or a similar system.

David Jamieson: The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 prohibit steam trains from operating on the mainline network at speeds above 25 mph after the end of 2003, unless they are protected by a suitable train protection system. I understand from the Health and Safety Executive that a train protection and warning system (TPWS) suitable for use by steam trains is currently under development.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those organisations consulted by his Department prior to the agreement of a grant to Network Rail for bringing Railtrack out of administration early.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 15 April 2002
	Discussions took place with HM Treasury and the SRA before the Department indicated to Network Rail that it was willing to offer a grant payment to reflect the public benefits of an earlier exit from administration than would otherwise be the case.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on the sale of railway assets by the company that succeeds Railtrack.

David Jamieson: This a matter for the Rail Regulator, who set out his policy in chapter 12 of the October 2000 Periodic Review and condition 26 of Railtrack's network licence.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what provision exists in European law for the extension of state aid support to Railtrack in administration beyond 7 October;
	(2)  what factors underlay the comments made by his Department to Bloomberg on 22 March about state aid rules relating to Railtrack;
	(3)  what advice his Department has received about state aid rules relating to support for Railtrack beyond 7 October.

David Jamieson: If the Network Rail bid were to be successful, any state aid provided to the company would be notified as permanent financial support that would bring the administration of Railtrack plc to a close. But if administration were to continue, state aid clearance would be sought as necessary as an extension of the existing clearance or as a separate notification if more appropriate.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 956W, if he has set aside contingency funds to cover an unexpectedly high periodic review.

David Jamieson: The regulator has a statutory duty under section 4 of the Railways Act 1993, as amended by section 224 of the Transport Act 2000, to have regard to the SRA's budget when undertaking a review. The Government would consider any appropriate budgetary adjustments as and when any such review takes place.

Rail Regulator

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on the future of the Rail Regulator.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 100W.

Network Rail

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place (a) written guarantees and (b) letters of comfort for financiers issued by his Department or the Strategic Rail Authority to Network Rail in the Library.

David Jamieson: The normal notification procedures will be followed.

Network Rail

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in what timeframe the proposed standby loans from the SRA to Network Rail will be available to the new company.

David Jamieson: This will depend on whether Network Rail's bid for Railtrack Group's shares is successful, when Railtrack plc comes out of administration and the terms of any loan when agreed.

London Underground PPP

Michael Howard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the total potential liabilities to the Exchequer which will arise from underwriting the contingent liabilities of the public-private partnerships for London Underground, as proposed in the letters of comfort and Minute from the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to the partners in the PPP presented to Parliament on 21 March 2002; and how those liabilities will be treated and presented in the national accounts;
	(2)  if he will publish the calculations and underlying assumptions which he has made to calculate the potential liabilities to the Exchequer which will arise from underwriting the contingent liabilities of the public- private partnerships for London Underground, as proposed in the letters of comfort and Minute from the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to the partners in the PPP presented to Parliament on 21 March 2002.

John Spellar: holding answer 10 April 2002
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's Minute to Parliament explained that the proposed comfort letters would cover a wide range of obligations on London Underground under the PPP contracts. In normal circumstances, the letter recognises the annual payments that will be made by London Underground to the infrastructure companies for the successful delivery of the required services, However, it also recognises that, in the unlikely event of an infrastructure company persistently and materially defaulting on its obligations in a way which leads to a termination of the PPP, then any funds put up by shareholders in the infrastructure company would be wholly at risk. In addition, an 'underpinned amount' would become payable to the lenders to the infrastructure company concerned. This is capped at the total value of the third party debt and has a floor of 95 per cent. of that amount.
	The contingent liability will be to repay some or all of the debt that has already been invested in the improvement of the Tube. The potential size of the payment will therefore depend on the amount of debt that has been invested at the time the underpinned amount becomes payable.
	The Department's Resource Accounts are drawn in accordance with the Treasury Resource Accounting Manual, which takes account of all financial reporting standards pronounced by the Accounting Standards Board. The contingent liability arising from any letters of comfort would therefore be recorded as a Note to the Department's Resource Accounts.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has now decided to extend the consultation period for the comfort letters to provide the customary notification period.

Rail Freight

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what is the estimated increase in use of diesel trains for rail freight use over the lifetime of the 10-year plan;
	(2)  what the estimated change is in use of electric trains for rail freight use over the lifetime of the 10-year plan;
	(3)  what volume of rail freight traffic is hauled by (a) electric and (b) diesel locomotives.

Stephen Byers: The Strategic Rail Authority does not keep data on the form of traction used by freight operating companies.

Rail Freight

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the estimated number of journeys made per month by road hauliers (a) to transfer freight onto the rail network and (b) to transfer freight from the rail network to its final destination in each of the last five years.

Stephen Byers: The information requested is not available on a monthly basis.

Rail Freight

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what compensation is being given to rail freight operators as a result of disruption to rail freight facilities through the Channel tunnel.

John Spellar: The companies affected should, in the first instance, be exploring the remedies available to them under their contracts and under EU law on the free movement of goods.

Rail Freight

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the impact on his ten-year transport plan of the rail freight disruption through the channel tunnel since November 2001; and if he will revise his estimated increase of rail freight.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 957W.

Rail Freight

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the increase of freight by rail within the Greater London area.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority's (SRA's) Freight Strategy proposes a number of initiatives for increasing use of rail freight in Greater London. The SRA is also working with Transport for London and its London Sustainable Distribution Partnership to identify opportunities for sustainable urban distribution.
	The SRA will be focusing on London when it produces its regional freight strategy for London and the south-east later this year.

Rail Freight

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated environmental benefit is in increasing the volume of rail freight traffic by (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent., (c) 30 per cent., (d) 40 per cent., (e) 50 per cent. and (f) 60 per cent. by 2010–11.

Stephen Byers: The environmental effect will vary depending on how the increase in the volume of rail freight traffic is achieved. An increase in rail freight will, in general, cause an increase in emissions from the rail sector. However, to the extent that this is achieved through modal shift there will be some offsetting benefits, reducing the impact of transport on the environment.

SCOTLAND

Special Advisers

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; and if she will list the total cost, including (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) subsistence allowance, for each occasion.

Helen Liddell: holding answer 27 February 2002
	The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.
	Between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001 no special advisers in my Department travelled abroad in an official capacity. Information for the last financial year is not yet available.

Departmental Functions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the functions of her Department that have been (a) market tested and (b) outsourced in each of the last five years, specifying the (i) money saving and (ii) percentage saving in each case.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. The Department has not market tested or outsourced any function during this period.

Public-private Partnerships (Consultants)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total external spending by her Department was on public-private partnership consultants in each of the last four years; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were per year; what the implied average cost of each PPP consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by her Department over this period; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. The Department has had no expenditure on public-private partnership consultants.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts her Office has with consultants; what level of professional indemnity insurance is standard in contracts with small consultants; whether she can make exceptions to the level of professional indemnity insurance; and what recent discussions she has had with other Government Departments about the level of professional indemnity insurance.

Helen Liddell: My Department currently has no contracts with consultants. On discussions with other Departments, I refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 4 February 2002, Official Report, column 689W.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

Departmental Functions

John Bercow: To ask the Advocate-General if she will list the functions of her Department that have been (a) market tested and (b) outsourced in each of the last five years, specifying the (i) money saving and (ii) percentage saving in each case.

Lynda Clark: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Scottish Executive

Peter Duncan: To ask the Advocate-General on how many occasions she has been formally consulted by the Scottish Executive in each of the last two years.

Lynda Clark: I have not been formally consulted by the Scottish Executive because that is not my role. As Law Officer I give legal advice to the Government. The Scottish Executive receives legal advice from its Law Officers—the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General for Scotland.

Leggatt Review

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Advocate-General what assessment she had made of the implications of the Leggatt Review for UK tribunals operating in Scotland.

Lynda Clark: The Government will publish their response to the Leggatt Report later in the year. There is ongoing work on this matter which will be subject to collective ministerial decision. As regards the implications for UK tribunals operating in Scotland, the Lord Chancellor's Department have been considering this together with the Scotland Office and the Scottish Executive and the results of this consideration will be included in the Government's response.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Ministerial Meetings

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the dates of the meetings and contacts that (a) special advisers and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with (i) Mr. Roy Parker, (ii) Sir Richard Needham and (iii) Mr. Shaun Harte since 2 May 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: There is no record of any such meetings or contacts taking place with either Mr. Parker or Mr. Harte.
	Sir Richard Needham is a frequent visitor to Northern Ireland and it is possible that he might have had some contact with my Department in the course of these visits. However, we have been unable to find any record of any formal meetings or contacts with Sir Richard at ministerial or special adviser level.

Mackie Ltd.

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the dates and subjects of meetings that (a) special advisers and (b) Ministers in his Department have had since 2 May 1997 with representatives of Mackie Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: On 9 September 1998, the Minister of State dealing with economic development matters met Sul Sahota and Jim Gilmore, respectively chief executive and chairman of Mackie International Group plc. The Minister of State was accompanied by officials, but there was no special adviser present. The meeting was held at the request of Mr. Sahota to discuss financial difficulties that were being faced by Mackie International Group plc. We have no record of any other such meetings, although there was frequent contact with representatives of Mackie International Group at official level from May 1997 until the company collapsed.

Mackie Ltd.

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for the collapse of Mackie; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: Mackie International Group plc following its failure to raise additional funding of £15 million to acquire another engineering group and restructure its balance sheet. The company had incurred substantial trading losses of over £25 million from 1996 to 1998 due to a decline in the textile machinery market and a lack of orders. These losses significantly weakened the company's liquidity.

Mr. Shaun Harte

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role Mr. Shaun Harte played on behalf of the British Government; if he will place the terms of reference for his appointment in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: There is no record of Mr. Harte having been employed by the British Government at any time.
	Shaun Harte was employed by the Northern Ireland Development Agency, a statutory agency, from 1978 to 1979. During that period, he was nominated by the Northern Ireland Development Agency to serve as a non-executive member of the De Lorean Motors Ltd. board. We are informed by the devolved Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment that, given the passage of time since then, Mr. Harte's employment records are no longer available. He died in 1999.

Mr. Shaun Harte

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the dates of the meetings and contacts that (a) special advisers and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with Mr. Shaun Harte since 2 May 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: There is no record of any such meetings or contacts having taken place.

Mr. Shaun Harte

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library the information that his Department received from Mr. Roy Parker regarding Mr. Shaun Harte; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: Roy Parker made a number of allegations against Shaun Harte and former directors of Mackie International Group. These were investigated by the Serious Fraud Office, who found no evidence of any impropriety which could lead them to take any action against the company, its former directors or its auditors.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Poverty

Ernie Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to consult on the measurement of child poverty.

Malcolm Wicks: Today I have published "Measuring Child Poverty: a consultation document". Copies have been placed in the Library.
	This consultation document aims to promote debate on how best to build on the Government's existing indicators to measure child poverty in the long term. The paper describes and seeks views on a range of approaches proposed by academics and poverty experts from the UK and overseas.

Occupational Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many companies have been (a) investigated and (b) fined by the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority for breaking the rules governing stakeholder pensions.

Ian McCartney: Stakeholder pension schemes started in April 2001. Up to 1 March 2002, the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) has investigated 299 cases where an employer has failed to designate a stakeholder scheme and 144 cases of employers failing to pay contributions on time.
	No companies have as yet been fined. Opra's focus is on getting employers to comply. Compliance has been achieved in 219 of the cases investigated. No breach was found to have occurred in 88 cases. The remainder are under continuing investigation.

Hospital Travel

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many grants were made to assist with the cost of travel to hospital, and of what mean and upper and lower decile values, in each (a) county, (b) health authority and (b) travel-to-work area in the last 12 months.

Malcolm Wicks: Patients admitted to hospital for NHS treatment can apply for help towards their travelling costs through the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme which is the responsibility of the Department of Health.
	Hospital visitors can apply for a social fund community care grant to help with their travelling costs. Separate figures for the number and value of grants made in respect of these costs are not available.

Cold Weather Payments

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Social Fund cold weather payments have been made in each of the last 10 years; and what was value of these payments for (a) each Government Office region in England and (b) Wales.

Malcolm Wicks: The available information is in the table.
	
		Cold weather payments: 1991–92 to 2000–01 -- England and Wales
		
			  Number of payments made 
		
		
			 1991–92 (10)3,800,000 
			 1992–93 (10)2,500,000 
			 1993–94 (10)2,100,000 
			 1994–95 10,969 
			 1995–96 6,537,914 
			 1996–97 4,543,665 
			 1997–98 42,615 
			 1998–99 14,512 
			 1999–2000 97,469 
			 2000–01 2,720,117 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Information before 1994–95 is only available rounded to the nearest 100,000.
	2. Information on the value of these payments is not available by Government Office Region.
	Source:
	Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance Computer Systems.

Cold Weather Payments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what is being done to reduce the backlog of those people who received the incorrect winter fuel payment in (a) December 2001 and (b) January and February 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: When the Department becomes aware that a winter fuel payment has been issued at an incorrect amount, remedial action is taken as a soon as possible. There is no current backlog.

Cold Weather Payments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people received the incorrect winter fuel payment of £100 in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: Anyone who received a £100 winter fuel payment was advised to contact the Department immediately if they thought that they should have been entitled to £200. Where it was found that the higher rate was appropriate, a top-up payment of £100 was made as soon as possible. In winter 2000–01, a total of 43,962 top-up payments were issued; so far, around 38,500 have been made for winter 2001–02.

Social Fund

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure on (i) grants and (ii) loans from the Social Fund in the Leaside district in each year since 1990 indicating the number and amount of applications in each case for each year; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Since April 1997 the gross discretionary Social Fund budget has increased by £153.1 million from £467.5 million to £620.6 million, an increase of almost 33 per cent. The Community Care Grant budget, previously frozen since 1994 at £97 million, has increased three times since 1998 to its current level in 2001–02 of £103 million. There is no cash limit on the amount a person may apply for initially.
	The available information is in the tables.
	
		Leaside benefits agency district: Social Fund grants
		
			 Financial year Number of grant applications Amount applied for(10) (£) Annual budget (£) Amount spent (£) 
		
		
			 1995–96 7,508 7,288,166.25 630,008 629,426.43 
			 1996–97 7,305 7,581,050.72 630,008 628,075.05 
			 1997–98 7,330 8,006,455.55 630,008 630,007.46 
			 1998–99 7,340 8,240,722.22 657,214 657,207.32 
			 1999–2000 4,027 4,826,411.49 636,976 635,852.23 
			 2000–01 3,426 4,134,400.08 644,904 644,372.63 
		
	
	
		Leaside benefits agency district: Social Fund loans
		
			 Financial year Number of loan applications Amount applied for(10) (£) Annual budget (£) Amount spent (£) 
		
		
			 1995–96 14,628 9,100,636.61 3,188,322 3,170,058.26 
			 1996–97 14,800 9,966,148.00 3,712,051 3,629,559.60 
			 1997–98 17,014 10,505,600.90 4,127,058 4,050,358.03 
			 1998–99 18,803 11,434,358.20 4,143,626 4,032,679.15 
			 1999–2000 20,583 12,579,494.70 4,662,581 4,604,114.43 
			 2000–01 20,702 13,968,691.70 5,240,918 5,046,020.83 
		
	
	(10) The "amount applied for" column includes applications which were unsuccessful.
	Note:
	Reliable data at district level is not available prior to 1995–96.
	Source:
	Social Fund Policy and Budget Management Information System.

Social Fund

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the budget was for the Social Fund in 2000–01; and what the final outturn of expenditure was.

Malcolm Wicks: Details of the Social Fund budget are in the 'Annual Report by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Social Fund: 2000–01' and the outturn of expenditure is in the 'Social Fund Account: 2000–01'. Copies of both publications are available in the Library.

Social Fund

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for social fund payments have been subject to (a) an internal Benefits Agency review and (b) a review by the Independent Review Service in each year since 1992; what proportion of the reviews was successful; what the average waiting time was for each type of review; and if he will break down the applications by each type of social fund payment.

Malcolm Wicks: The available information is in the annual reports by the Secretary of State on the Social Fund and the Social Fund Commissioner's annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library.

Social Fund

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for improving the training of Benefits Agency staff who deal with social fund applicants.

Malcolm Wicks: All staff engaged in administering the social fund undertake comprehensive training. We regularly review this training and it was last updated in January of this year. A further review of training is due to take place at the end of the year.
	In addition, guidance on the social fund is regularly updated and social fund awareness training is provided to other staff not directly involved in social fund administration.

Social Fund

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the guidance issued to Social Fund staff on the administration of the Social Fund since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: Prior to January 1999 guidance to staff administering the Social Fund was in nine separate guides:
	The Social Fund Guide—Volumes 1 and 2;
	The Social Fund System Reference Guide volumes 1 to 7;
	The Social Fund Customer and Application Detail Guide;
	The Social Fund Printed Output Guide;
	The Social Fund Decision and Review Guide;
	The Social Fund Breakdown of Recovery Guide;
	The Social Fund Review Officers Guide;
	The Social Fund Risk Management Guide; and
	The Social Fund Funeral and Maternity Guide.
	The guidance was restructured in January 1999. From that date, guidance on Social Fund legislation and the Secretary of State's directions for the non-regulated fund are set out in the new Social Fund Guide. Operations and procedural guidance is set out in the following volumes:
	The Social Fund Budgeting Loan Guide;
	The Social Fund Community Care Grant and Crisis Loan Guide;
	The Social Fund Customer Guide;
	The Social Fund Enquiry Guide;
	The Social Fund Payment Guide;
	The Social Fund Recovery Guide;
	The Social Fund Regulated Fund Guide;
	The Social Fund Review and Complaints Guide; and
	The Social Fund Management Guide.
	New guidance is circulated to staff in bulletins which are then incorporated into the main guides. 108 bulletins have been produced since January 1997.

Home Responsibilities Protection

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received on the home responsibilities protection for foster carers.

Ian McCartney: We regularly receive representations on all aspects of state retirement pension entitlement from a variety of organisations and interested individuals.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people employed by his Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseeker's allowance or other benefits.

Nick Brown: Information on the destinations of people entering the New Deal for Young People in all of the Department and its agencies is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been employed by his Department in each of the last three years under (a) the new deal for young people, (b) the new deal for the over 50s and (c) the new deal for lone parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds.

Nick Brown: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. Figures before that date are for the former Department of Social Security and the Employment Service.
	Such information as is available is as follows.
	Information follows on the number of people who have started on the new deal for young people in the Department and its agencies.
	
		People who have started on the new deal for young people
		
			   Number 
		
		
			 1998–99 347 
			 1999–2000 207 
			 2000–01 158 
			 2001–02(11) 22 
		
	
	(11) Up to October 2001
	Note:
	These figures show people who have joined the Department on the new deal fixed term appointment (NDFTA) programme. They include some people recruited from the new deal for lone parents who also join the NDFTA on entering the Department. These cannot be identified separately.
	The Department has also taken on 2,875 new deal jobseekers under its normal recruitment processes. This figure includes people who have been on the new deal for young people and new deal 25 plus and cannot be broken down. People recruited by the Department under the new deal 50 plus cannot be identified separately from new deal 25 plus recruits.New deal recruits take up existing vacancies so extra costs are limited to the subsidy, where appropriate, and any additional training and development which may be needed. The cost of the latter cannot be readily identified. The subsidy cost is approximately £1.3 million.

New Deal

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals in (a) Alyn and Deeside and (b) Delyn have benefited from the New Deal.

Nick Brown: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Total number of people entering jobs (up to the end of January 2002)  
			 Programme  Alyn and Deeside Delyn 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People 484 359 
			 New Deal 25 plus 111 96 
			 New Deal for Lone Parents 250 218 
			 New Deal 50 plus 93 106 
		
	
	Source:
	New Deal Evaluation Database
	Information at constituency level is not available for the New Deal for Disabled People and the New Deal for Partners.

Back Pain

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what studies he is collating in conjunction with the Department of Health into (a) the incidence of low back pain among those of working age and (b) its implications for loss of working time and costs to the benefit system.

Nick Brown: holding answer 17 April 2002
	The Department has played an important role in raising awareness of back pain disability as an issue; in promoting best clinical practice to health professionals; in supporting the development of guidelines for managers and employees; and in devising more objective and rigorous assessment methods.
	A Chief Medical Adviser bulletin has recently been issued to all General Practitioners which specifically mentions the management of low back pain and the need for doctors to follow the Royal College of General Practitioners management guidelines when treating this condition. The Department continues to work very closely with external experts in the field of back pain in developing policies, guidance and procedures.
	An innovative approach to work preparation—the "From Back Pain to Work" project—has recently been piloted in at the main hospitals in Salford and Bristol. This involved Jobcentre staff working in partnership with medical practitioners to reintegrate people with back pain into employment. The project used a programme of psychological, physical and occupational elements to help people back into work.
	Results from the initial trials have been encouraging and there are now plans for further expansion and evaluation of the pilots in additional locations starting in late summer 2002.

Medical Assessment

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Department has agreed the extended contract for medical assessment services with SchlumbergerSema; and if modifications take into account the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee's twenty seventh report (HC683).

Nick Brown: holding answer 17 April 2002
	The extension of Contracts with SchlumbergerSema, announced on 30 November 2001 has not yet been confirmed. The decision to confirm or revoke the extension will be made by 31 May 2002.
	Since the Public Accounts Committee hearing in March 2001 significant progress has been made towards addressing the Committee's concerns and improving the standard of services delivered by SchlumbergerSema.

Savings Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will estimate the proportion of expenditure on the savings credit element of the pension credit that will be attributable to (a) single male pensioners, (b) single female pensioners and (c) married pensioners;
	(2)  how many (a) single women, (b) single men and (c) pensioner couples are expected to be entitled to (i) the guarantee credit only, (ii) the savings credit only and (iii) both the guarantee credit and the savings credit in October 2003;
	(3)  what percentage of claimants entitled to the state pension credit are expected to be entitled to (a) housing benefit, (b) council tax benefit and (c) both housing and council tax benefit.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The information requested is in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Proportion of total savings credit expenditure for which it is estimated that single men, single women and pensioner couples will be eligible -- Per cent.(12)
		
			  Proportion of savings credit expenditure 
		
		
			 Single men 16 
			 Single women 50 
			 Couples 35 
			 Total 100 
		
	
	(12) Percentages are given to the nearest per cent.
	
		Table 2: number of single men, single women and pensioner couples estimated to be entitled to the pension credit in 2003–04(13) -- millions
		
			  Guarantee credit only Guarantee and savings credits Savings credit only Total pension credit 
		
		
			 Single men 0.15 0.25 0.20 0.60 
			 Single women 0.40 1.15 0.55 2.10 
			 Couples 0.35 0.35 0.50 1.20 
			  
			 Total 0.90 1.75 1.30 3.90 
		
	
	(13) Numbers rounded to the nearest 0.05 million.
	
		Table 3: Proportion of total pension credit case load entitled to council tax benefit, housing benefit or both -- Per cent.(14)
		
			  Pension credit case load 
		
		
			 No housing benefit/council tax benefit 8 
			 Council tax benefit only 46 
			 Housing benefit only (15)— 
			 Both housing benefit and council tax benefit 45 
		
	
	(14) Percentages are given to the nearest one per cent.
	(15) Denotes a figure less than 0.5 per cent.
	Notes:
	1. Pension credit figures have been calculated using the Policy Simulation Model for Income Related Benefit. This models the benefits system and is based on data from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) for 1999–2000. The model has been uprated to model benefits in 2003–04.
	2. The figures are based on entitlement to pension credit.
	3. The figures do not include pensioners in residential care or nursing homes (RCNH). This is because the FRS does not contain information on RCNH cases. It is estimated that 200,000 pensioners in RCNH will be eligible for pension credit, and the majority of these will be in single pensioner benefit units. Therefore the total case load estimated to be entitled to pension credit in 2003–04 is around 4.1 million households.

Industrial Injuries

Terry Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for each of the last 10 years, how many new claims have been made for industrial injury benefit; how many claims have been paid; and what was the total cost of benefits paid (i) in cash terms and (ii) at December 2001 prices.

Nick Brown: The available information is in the tables.
	
		Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA) and Retirement Allowance (RA) claims and awards
		
			  New claims received (IIDB, REA and RA) Awards (IIDB) Awards (REA and RA) 
		
		
			 1990–91 (16)— 16,800 12,600 
			 1991–92 (16)— 17,300 5,000 
			 1992–93 (16)— 20,400 3,600 
			 1993–94 (16)— 26,300 4,600 
			 1994–95 (16)— 23,600 4,400 
			 1995–96 73,000 28,400 7,700 
			 1996–97 70,600 25,400 6,300 
			 1997–98 96,400 29,800 3,800 
			 1998–99 73,200 21,500 3,800 
			 1999–2000 68,800 17,100 2,700 
		
	
	(16) Information on the number of new claims made prior to 1995–96 is not available because data are unreliable and inconsistent with the current method of data collection.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures may be subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	3. A customer may be in receipt of either IIDB or REA/RA or both.
	4. Awards may be in respect of a claim made in an earlier period.
	Source:
	10 per cent. sample of annual statistical returns from disablement benefit offices.
	
		Benefit expenditure on IIDB, REA and RA -- £ million
		
			  Cash terms Real terms at 2001–02 prices 
		
		
			 1990–91 520 711 
			 1991–92 587 756 
			 1992–93 601 750 
			 1993–94 616 750 
			 1994–95 645 776 
			 1995–96 670 783 
			 1996–97 685 776 
			 1997–98 690 758 
			 1998–99 710 759 
			 1999–2000 700 730 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest £ million.
	Source:
	Figures are consistent with Social Security departmental reports

Crisis Loans

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what was the crisis loan expenditure on living expenses (alignment) in each year since 1996; and what such expenditure was expressed as a proportion of crisis loan expenditure.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table.
	
		Social Fund crisis loan expenditure—alignment payments
		
			 Year Total crisis loan expenditure (£ million) Alignment payment expenditure (£ million) Alignment payments as a percentage of crisis loan expenditure 
		
		
			 1996–97 52 14 27 
			 1997–98 54 17 32 
			 1998–99 59 20 33 
			 1999–00 62 18 30 
			 2000–01 65 18 28 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest £ million.
	2. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
	Source:
	Annual Reports by the Secretary of State on the Social Fund 1996–97 to 2000–01

Pension Schemes

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-compliant pension schemes have been named by the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, broken down by the different types of offence.

Ian McCartney: Under pensions legislation, the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) may publish the details of particular cases as they think fit. Up until June 2001, Opra used its discretion to name six of the most serious cases. Since June 2001, it has decided to publish the names of all schemes against which a penalty has been imposed. 201 such schemes have been named to date.
	The table shows a breakdown of offences.
	
		
			 Type of offence Before June 2001 After June 2001 
		
		
			 No auditor 3 32 
			 No actuary 2 1 
			 No statement of investment principles 2 0 
			 Breach of disclosure regulations 3 0 
			 No internal dispute resolution 2 2 
			 No member nominated trustee or director 1 2 
			 No or late payment schedule — 3 
			 Late accounts or auditors statement — 125 
			 Late contributions — 118 
			 No minimum funding requirement valuation — 5 
		
	
	Note:
	The data are shown by offence and not simply by named schemes. About 40 schemes have been named in connection with more than one offence—for example one scheme had committed five different offences. Consequently the total of the figures in the table is more than the total number of schemes that have been named.

Means-tested Benefits

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how the take-up of means-tested benefits has changed (a) since 1997, (b) since 1998, (c) since 1999 and (d) since 2000.

Malcolm Wicks: Estimates of take-up of income- related benefits for the financial years 1999–2000 and 1998–99 were published in "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take-Up 1999–2000". Estimates for 1997–98 were published in "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take-Up 1998–99". Copies of both publications are available in the Library.
	Estimates are presented as percentage ranges within which departmental statisticians judge the level of true take-up to lie. The ranges for different years overlap; as a result it is not possible to make firm statements about changes in take-up rates between 1997–98 and 1999–2000.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of new housing benefit claims were determined within 14 days in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: Information is not available in the format requested.

Appeal Tribunals

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what policy changes have been made to the conduct of appeal tribunal hearings in the UK as a result of the Tribunal of Commissioners decision in CSDLA/1019/99.

Maria Eagle: The jurisdiction of appeal tribunals administered by the Appeals Service extends to Great Britain. Northern Ireland has a separate appeal tribunal jurisdiction. This decision is currently the subject of an appeal to the Court of Session. There have been no policy changes in the conduct of tribunal hearings.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Women (Public Appointments)

Linda Perham: To ask the Minister for Women what progress she has made towards increasing the number of women holding public appointments.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government believe that women and men should hold an equal proportion of all public appointments. Public Bodies 2001, published on 14 February, shows that at 31 March 2001, women held 34 per cent. of all appointments to the boards of non-departmental public bodies, nationalised industries, public corporations and health bodies.
	The document "Public Bodies: Opening Up Appointments" which was also published on 14 February sets out the targets that individual Government Departments are working towards for increasing the proportion of appointments held by women and the action plans to achieve these targets.
	We want to encourage more women to apply for national public appointments. That is why my hon. Friend, Minister for Women in the Cabinet Office, is currently hosting a series of regional seminars to give information and offer practical support.
	The seminars aim to inspire women through real- life case studies, provide information about what appointments are available and practical advice on how to go about getting a public appointment. The seminars hosted so far have been very successful, and the programme is being extended. Research will also be conducted into the usefulness of the seminars.
	The Women's National Commission is offering women who attend the seminars the chance to join an e-network. This will offer notifications of specific opportunities, occasional workshops and mentors.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Commercial Materials (Schools)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is on the use of commercial materials in schools.

Stephen Timms: While we welcome business involvement in schools, decisions on the use of commercial materials in this sector are for the schools themselves to make. My Department issued guidelines entitled "Best Practice Principles: Commercial Activities in Schools" last year, to help schools make informed and sensible decisions about this. The guidelines make clear that schools should satisfy themselves that the educational benefits of the commercial activity outweigh the potential disbenefits; that it is free of incentives to children to engage in unhealthy, unsafe or unlawful activities; that explicit sales messages should be avoided wherever possible; and that the level of any branding should be appropriate to the activity.

External Contracts

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  which non-accounting and non- information technology external organisations have won new contracts with (a) her Department and (b) executive agencies in each of the past five years;
	(2)  which non-accounting and non-information technology external organisations which previously held contracts with her Department (a) won new contracts at the culmination of the existing contracts and (b) won new contracts after a period of inactivity with her Department in each of the past five years;
	(3)  if she will list the 30 largest contracts awarded by her Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999, (c) May 1999 to April 2000, (d) May 2000 to April 2001 and (e) May 2001 to the latest date, indicating in each case the values of the contracts and the companies with which the contracts were placed.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 28 February 2002
	This information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Faith Schools

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the denomination and type of publicly funded Christian schools which are neither Anglican or Catholic; and of these which are teaching creationism.

Stephen Timms: The available information is shown in the table. Information is not collected about whether or not a school is teaching creationism.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools in England by type and denomination—as at January 2001
		
			 School name  LEA name Denomination Type of establishment 
		
		
			 Maintained primary schools
			 Bearnes Voluntary Primary School Devon Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Wray with Botton Endowed Primary School Lancashire Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Warton Archbishop Hutton's Primary School Lancashire Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Richard Durning's Endowed Primary School Lancashire Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Cawthorne's Endowed School Lancashire Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Edmund de Moundeford VC Primary School, Feltwell Norfolk Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Burnsall Voluntary Aided Primary School North Yorkshire Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Kings Cliffe Endowed Primary School Northamptonshire Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Longworth Primary School Oxfordshire Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Church Eaton (A) Primary School Staffordshire Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Dauntsey's (Aided) Primary School Wiltshire Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Woodhouses Voluntary Primary School Oldham Church of England/Free Church Voluntary controlled 
			 Blackrod Anglican/Methodist Primary School Bolton Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Radcliffe Hall Church of England/Methodist Controlled Primary School Bury Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Hey-with-Zion Primary School Oldham Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Stansfield Hall Church of England/Free Church Primary School Rochdale Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Aspull Church Primary School Wigan Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Emmanuel Anglican/Methodist Junior School Sheffield Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Holy Trinity Primary School South Gloucestershire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 St. Mark's Voluntary Aided Ecumenical CofE/Methodist Primary School North Somerset Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 St. Andrew's CofE Methodist (Aided) Primary School Derbyshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 New Holland Church of England and Methodist Primary School North Lincolnshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Trinity School Lancashire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Hapton Church of England/Methodist Primary School Lancashire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Turton and Edgworth CofE/Methodist Controlled Primary School Blackburn with Darwen Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Wellfield Methodist and Anglican Church School Lancashire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Brinscall St. John's CofE and Methodist Primary School Lancashire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 The Bardney Church of England and Methodist Primary School Lincolnshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 The Caistor Church of England and Methodist Primary School Lincolnshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 The Brant Broughton Church of England and Methodist Primary School Lincolnshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 The Wainfleet Magdalen Church of England/Methodist School Lincolnshire Church of England/Methodist Foundation 
			 Forest of Galtres Anglican/Methodist Primary School North Yorkshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Lowe's Wong Junior School Nottinghamshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Elston All Saints Primary School Nottinghamshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 John Fletcher Church of England/Methodist Junior School Telford and Wrekin Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Knights Templar Church of England/Methodist Community School Somerset Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Hob Hill CofE/Methodist Primary School Staffordshire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Trinity and St. Michael's VA CofE/Methodist Primary School Lancashire Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Haven School East Sussex Church of England/Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Holt Voluntary Controlled Primary School Wiltshire Church of England/United Reformed Church Voluntary controlled 
			 Queen's Park CofE URC Primary School St. Helens Church of England/United Reformed Church Voluntary controlled 
			 Affetside Primary School Bury Congregational Church Voluntary controlled 
			 St. Cyprian's Greek Orthodox Primary School Croydon Greek Voluntary aided 
			 Nutgrove Methodist Community Primary School St. Helens Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Summerseat Methodist Primary School Bury Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Wesley Methodist Primary School Bury Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 St. Andrew's Methodist Primary School Salford Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Boothstown Methodist Primary School Salford Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Hurst Methodist Junior School Tameside Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Leigh Westleigh Methodist Primary School Wigan Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School Wigan Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Wakefield Methodist Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School Wakefield Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Bakewell Methodist Junior School Derbyshire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Staplecross Methodist Primary School East Sussex Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Boughton-under-Blean Methodist Voluntary Controlled Primary School Kent Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 St. Peter's Methodist Voluntary Controlled Primary School Kent Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Bamber Bridge Methodist Voluntary Controlled Primary School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Rishton Methodist Primary School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Oswaldtwistle Hippings Methodist Voluntary Controlled Primary School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Leyland Methodist Junior School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Leyland Methodist Infant School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Burscough Bridge Methodist School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Holmeswood Methodist School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 North Meols Banks Methodist (Controlled) Primary School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Wheatley Lane Methodist Voluntary Aided Primary School Lancashire Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Gunnerside Methodist Primary School North Yorkshire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Melsonby Methodist Primary School North Yorkshire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Richmond Methodist Primary School North Yorkshire Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Rode Methodist VC First School Somerset Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 Hawkesley CofE/Methodist Primary School Birmingham Methodist Voluntary aided 
			 Holly Hill Methodist CofE Infant School Birmingham Methodist/Church of England Voluntary aided 
			 William Penn Primary School West Sussex Quaker Voluntary controlled 
			 Barrow School Lancashire United Reformed Church Voluntary controlled 
			 
			 Maintained secondary schools
			 Westminster City School Westminster Christian Voluntary aided 
			 The Coopers' Company and Coborn School Havering Christian Voluntary aided 
			 King Edward VI Handsworth School Birmingham Christian Voluntary aided 
			 King Edward VI Five Ways School Birmingham Christian Voluntary aided 
			 King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls Birmingham Christian Voluntary aided 
			 King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys Birmingham Christian Voluntary aided 
			 King Edward VI Aston School Birmingham Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Royal Latin School Buckinghamshire Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Beaminster School Dorset Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Davenant Foundation School Essex Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Colchester Royal Grammar School Essex Christian Foundation 
			 St. George's School Hertfordshire Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Cranbrook School Kent Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancashire Christian Voluntary aided 
			 Bourne Grammar School Lincolnshire Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Market Rasen De Aston School Lincolnshire Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Lincoln Christ's Hospital School Lincolnshire Christian Voluntary aided 
			 St. Laurence School Wiltshire Church of England/Christian Voluntary controlled 
			 Selwood Anglican/Methodist Middle School Somerset Church of England/Methodist Voluntary controlled 
			 The John Loughborough School Haringey Seventh Day Adventist Voluntary aided 
		
	
	Source:
	Register of Educational Establishments.
	Foundation schools and voluntary schools only may have a religious character. They are designated as such by the Secretary of State under section 69 (3) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (SSFA). City technology colleges are independent schools and therefore cannot be designated as having a religious character.

Rural Schools

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of rural (a) primary and (b) secondary schools are located (i) within 5 km, (b) 5 to 10 km, (c) 10 to 15 km and (d) more than 15 km from the nearest settlement with under 3,000 people.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 15 April 2002
	I am not aware of any schools which are more than five km from the nearest house. It is likely, therefore, that all primary and secondary schools fall in category (i).

Social Care Students

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many social care places have been offered by higher education institutions since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The available information, which shows the total number of students on social work courses, is given in the table.
	
		Students(17) on social work(18) courses at higher education institutions in the UK
		
			   1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Postgraduate 7,300 8,000 7,400 7,500 
			 Undergraduate 18,400 17,400 18,200 19,900 
			 Total 25,800 25,400 25,500 27,400 
		
	
	(17) Census count as at December 1. Covers home and overseas students, on full-time and part-time courses. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100. Figures may not sum to totals because of rounding.
	(18) Covers all programmes classed as social work by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, but not all of these will lead to a professional qualification.

Social Care Students

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students took up places in higher education institutions to study social care courses in (a) 2001, (b) 2000 and (c) 1999; and, of these, how many did not complete their courses.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The latest available information on the number of students entering social work courses is given in the table. Figures for 2001–02 will be available at the end of April 2002.
	
		Entrants(19) to social work(20) courses in higher education institutions in the UK
		
			   1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Postgraduate 4,000 3,500 3,700 
			 Undergraduate 8,800 9,800 10,000 
			 Total 12,900 13,400 13,700 
		
	
	(19) Covers home and overseas students, on full-time and part-time courses. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100. Figures may not sum to totals because of rounding.
	(20) Covers all programmes classed as social work by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, but not all of these will lead to a professional qualification.
	The available information on non-completion rates is contained in "Performance Indicators in Higher Education in the UK", published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The figures cover full-time first degree courses only, but they are not disaggregated by subject. The latest figures, covering all subjects, show that 17 per cent. of students who began their studies in UK higher education institutions in 1998–99 failed to complete their course.

School Spending

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the spending per head for each of the last five years by each local authority in England was on the education of school pupils (a) of primary school age, (b) of secondary school age and (c) in further education.

Stephen Timms: The information requested for (a) primary school age and (b) secondary school age pupils for 1995–96 to 1999–2000 for which expenditure data are currently available, for each local education authority in England has been placed in the Libraries. School pupils have only exceptionally undertaken education in further education colleges and information for the amount spent on school pupils in further education is not available centrally. Further education colleges are not maintained by local education authorities.

Higher Education

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will increase the level of support available for those students in higher education who are on longer courses and those with higher equipment costs with specific reference to medicine and dentistry.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 17 April 2002
	Student support is already available for the full length of a designated undergraduate course regardless of the duration of the course. From 2002–03, in recognition that they need to study on longer courses, medical and dental students in their fifth and any subsequent years will receive from the Department of Health about half their support as non-repayable grants (with the remainder as loans from the Student Loans Company). Students on longer courses, including medical and dental students, are eligible to apply to their universities for additional £500 Hardship Loans and grants from the Hardship Fund.

Learning Difficulties

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what response she has made to the recent SKILL research, "Enhancing Quality of Life", on the extent of post-school education provision for people with profound and complex learning difficulties.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 17 April 2002
	My Department continues to work with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and other relevant agencies to develop appropriate responses to the issues raised by SKILL's research report. These include delivering the enhanced role for the Connexions service in transition planning for young people with learning difficulties; the introduction of flexible and innovative approaches to post-school provision; improved inter-agency collaboration in the design, management, delivery and funding of services through, for example, LSC involvement on Learning Disability Partnership Boards; and the implementation of the standards of care for learners in residential provision introduced by the Care Standards Act.

Dyslexia

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what percentage of children aged 14 to 18 years are known to have dyslexia;
	(2)  what records are kept by local education authorities on dyslexia;
	(3)  what steps are taken by the Department to assess children for dyslexia; and at what ages the tests are carried out;
	(4)  what (a) research is being carried out into dyslexia and (b) grants are being given by the Government to research organisations with regard to dyslexia in 2002–03;
	(5)  how many children aged between 5 to 10 years in the United Kingdom have dyslexia and related learning problems.

Stephen Timms: As at January 2001, 1,002,000 pupils in English maintained primary schools and 668,000 pupils in English maintained secondary schools had special educational needs (SEN). Of these, 75,300 and 82,100 respectively had statements of SEN.
	In addition, 91,000 pupils are in maintained special schools, 87,400 of whom have statements. Information by specific category of SEN is not currently collected but we have conducted a pilot exercise to explore the feasibility of further categorisation without overburdening schools and expect to phase in new arrangements by 2004.
	When dealing with dyslexia and other SEN, schools and local education authorities in England are expected to follow the SEN Code of Practice, published last November. LEAs must also publish their general arrangements for identifying and supporting children with SEN. The precise details of arrangements made by LEAs and schools, including record keeping and assessment of needs within the context of the Code, are for local determination and this information is not collected centrally.
	Working in conjunction with other interested parties, the Department is currently supporting the SPELL IT project, looking at the impact of structured intervention methods with seven year olds experiencing difficulty with reading. This project is due to report later this year. In 2002–04 we are also supporting research and development in relation to possible applications of jet pilot eye tracking technology as an aid to early identification of dyslexia.

Work-related Skills

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the £1 million allocated for the embedding of work related skills more widely in higher education provision has been allocated; and how the allocation for (a) entrepreneurial, (b) generic and (c) vocational skills is progressing.

Margaret Hodge: The £1 million will be allocated through the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) between April 2002 and March 2004. We regard work related skills as embracing all three skill areas. This integrated approach to delivery means it is not possible to identify separate amounts for each area.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what action her Department is taking to support children with autistic spectrum disorder at school; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what action her Department is taking to increase the number of specialist units able to support children with autistic spectrum disorder learning; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Children with autistic spectrum disorder are benefiting from the improvements we are making to special educational needs (SEN) provision along with all other children with SEN. We have, for example, increased the supported expenditure available for SEN five-fold from £17 million in 1997–98 to £91 million in 2002–03. Funds can be used for a range of activities including the training for staff in SEN and improvements in speech and language therapy. We have introduced a revised SEN Code of Practice, effective from 1 January this year, which strengthens the guidance to schools, local education authorities and others and encourages earlier identification of needs and more effective intervention.
	We have also supported a nationwide network of SEN Regional Partnerships to promote a multi-agency approach to aspects of SEN provision. The West Midlands SEN Regional Partnership has concentrated on provision for children with autistic spectrum disorder and produced recommendations. The work of the West Midlands Partnership will be reflected in guidance which the Department's Autism Working Group will be producing in the coming months. This will raise awareness of autistic spectrum disorders and help schools and local education authorities, in particular, to audit their provision.
	The Autism Working Group's guidance will point to the benefits of children with the disorder being taught by those with an understanding of the condition in all settings. Decisions on opening specialist units for children with autistic spectrum disorders are taken at local, rather than national, level. The Department welcomes the opening of good quality, specialist provision in the maintained, non-maintained and independent sectors. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism's report "The Rising Challenge: A survey of Local Education Authorities on Educational Provision for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorders" (December 2001) noted that several authorities commented that they had set up autism specific units attached to moderate learning difficulty schools.

Pay Scales

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 726W, if she will list the allowances which are available to (a) secondary school teachers and (b) further education lecturers.

Margaret Hodge: The following allowances are available to secondary school classroom teachers: management allowances; recruitment and retention allowances; special educational needs allowances and London allowances.
	As independent corporations, further education colleges have their own staff pay and allowance policies. The allowances will, therefore, vary from college to college. The Department does not collect information on the allowances paid to staff by individual colleges.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Private Finance Initiative projects have been subject to refinancing after the contracts have been signed; and what has been the financial effect in each case.

Ivan Lewis: Within my Department no Private Finance Initiative projects have been subject to refinancing after the contracts have been signed.

Refurbishment

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 25 January 2002, Official Report, column 1131W, regarding the estimated cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by her Department, for what reason the cost in 2000–01 rose from the figures for 1998–99.

Ivan Lewis: The estimated cost of buildings refurbishment carried out in my Department in 2000–01 rose from the figures for 1998–99 due to many one-off large-scale building projects needed across the estate. Examples include:
	Update of mechanical ventilation at Mowden Hall, Darlington
	Lift refurbishment at Caxton House, London
	Replacement windows at Vincent House, Darlington
	Major refurbishment of the lower ground floor forum at Sanctuary Buildings, London (mow recognised as a beacon with other Departments)
	Refurbishment of Secretary of States Office at Sanctuary Buildings, London.

Teachers (Early Leavers)

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what analysis has been completed on the destinations of teachers who leave the profession and retire early; and if she will place a copy in the Library.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 16 April 2002
	Numbers of teachers leaving the profession and retiring early are published in the 2001 volume of Teachers in England (including teachers pay for England and Wales), which has been placed in the Library.
	The Department has commissioned Professor Alan Smithers and Dr. Pamela Robinson, from the University of Liverpool, Centre for Education and Employment Research to undertake research into the factors affecting teachers' decisions to leave the profession and the characteristics and destinations of those leaving. The research commenced in December 2001 and we expect the report to be published in March 2003.
	Some information on the destinations of teachers appears in the Employers Organisation's annual survey of teacher resignations and recruitment.

Teacher Vacancies (Wandsworth)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there are at schools in the London borough of Wandsworth in (a) junior and (b) secondary schools.

Stephen Timms: In January 2001 there were 22 vacant teacher posts in maintained nursery/primary schools and 25 vacant teacher posts maintained secondary schools in Wandsworth local education authority (2001 is the most recent available year).
	The vacancies recorded had been advertised and were for full-time permanent appointments or full-time appointments of at least one term's duration, which existed at the survey date and which the local education authority/school intended to or had unsuccessfully attempted to fill.

Schools (East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) applications and (b) available places for schools in the East Riding there (i) are in the current academic year and (ii) were in the past three academic years.

Stephen Timms: My Department does not hold this information. The East Riding of Yorkshire local education authority (LEA) has informed my officials that for the academic year 2002–03, 4,255 secondary school applications have been received for 4,136 places.

Schools (East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children living in the Kingston upon Hull local education authority area (a) are enrolled and (b) were enrolled in the past three academic years in East Riding schools.

Stephen Timms: My Department does not hold this information. The East Riding of Yorkshire local education authority has informed my officials that of the 51,080 pupils currently attending maintained schools in East Riding, 2,800 have Kingston upon Hull postcodes.

Schools (East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many applications there were for places in East Riding schools from households in the Kingston upon Hull local education authority for the (a) current academic year and (b) past three academic years; and how many of these applications were (i) accepted and (ii) rejected.

Stephen Timms: My Department does not hold this information.

Schools (East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many applications were made by households in the Kingston upon Hull local education authority area for school places in the East Riding of Yorkshire using a false address in the (a) current academic year and (b) previous three academic years.

Stephen Timms: My Department does not hold this information. The East Riding of Yorkshire local education authority (LEA) has informed my officials that they have no evidence that any applications for school places from September 2002 are from people using false addresses. A number of checks were made on addresses of applicants for September 2001 entry, and in all cases documentary evidence verifying the address used was provided.

School Funding

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the review of funding for schools.

Stephen Timms: We are currently working up proposals for a reformed system of school and LEA funding for introduction in 2003–04. We aim to create a simpler, more transparent and fairer formula that reflects fairly, on the basis of up-to-date evidence, the needs of authorities in different parts of the country. We expect to consult on proposals for the new system in the summer.

University Funding

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been given by the Government to each university in (a) Wales and (b) the North West in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: The funding of higher education in Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. The allocation of funding by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to universities in the North West of England in each year since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			 Universities in NW England 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 (21)2002–03 
		
		
			 Lancaster 25,191,849 29,612,073 30,993,227 31,810,325 32,085,258 34,912,405 
			 University of Central Lancashire 32,998,301 37,450,122 40,910,888 41,857,351 44,615,346 48,292,962 
			 Liverpool John Moores 37,470,423 47,764,966 44,831,515 45,402,799 47,243,386 49,025,709 
			 Liverpool 55,829,857 61,570,235 64,653,663 66,408,652 69,828,532 74,537,492 
			 Manchester 76,795,457 82,970,369 84,533,180 86,831,335 86,675,433 100,442,019 
			 Manchester Metropolitan 52,590,864 59,668,540 61,134,705 61,953,626 65,321,576 67,158,787 
			 UMIST 26,107,034 28,650,434 29,976,427 31,464,966 32,660,103 32,758,879 
			 Salford 34,458,084 39,265,653 39,918,959 40,372,457 42,007,181 44,149,602 
		
	
	(21) Provisional.
	Note:
	These figures reflect recurrent and capital funding from DfES for allocation by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. It excludes any recurrent funding for teaching provided to these institutions by the Teacher Training Agency and other Government Departments, any research funding from the Research Councils and other Government Departments and regulated fee income paid by Government to institutions on behalf of students.
	Source:
	HEFCE data.

Learning Mentors

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many learning mentors there are in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) the Buckingham constituency and (ii) England.

Stephen Timms: There are currently no Learning Mentors working in primary or secondary schools in the constituency of Buckingham. Our provision of Learning Mentors is focused on schools in deprived city authorities as part of the Excellence in Cities (EiC) programme, and upon schools in Excellence Clusters which cover smaller pockets of deprivation. There are currently 1,155 Learning Mentors in England's primary schools, and 2,265 in secondary schools.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Government Services

Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to co-ordinate the use of post offices as one-stop shops for Government services.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 15 April 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	DTI funded a pilot of the concept of post offices as Government General Practitioners (GGP)—one-stop shops for information, advice and transactions with a range of government and other bodies—which began last July and finished on 1 March this year. Together with other key stakeholders, we are now evaluating the outcome of the pilot to determine whether a national GGP service would meet the needs of citizens and participating organisations and provide value for money. The Department is also working with Post Office Ltd., the Office of the e-Envoy, other Government Departments and local government evaluating the design and costing of a potential national service. A decision on whether or not to proceed will be taken in the light of all the evidence.

Women's Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the annual budget is of the Women's Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit; and how many people it employs.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
	The Women's Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit is an organisation independent of government and therefore the information requested is not held by my Department.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

James Gray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many contracts the Cabinet Office has with consultants; what level of professional indemnity insurance is standard in contracts with small consultants; whether he can make exceptions to the level of professional indemnity insurance; and what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments about the level of professional indemnity insurance.

Christopher Leslie: The Cabinet Office standard terms and conditions of contract require consultants to indemnify the Department against all costs or third party claims arising from the consultant's acts or omissions, and to maintain insurance cover of a minimum of £500,000 per claim against the risk of fire or other damage to property or personal injury. The standard terms apply to all consultants irrespective of size. However, individual cases the amount of insurance required may be increased or reduced according to the risk associated with the contracted work.
	The number of contracts is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost.
	As with previous Administrations, it is not this Government's practice to provide details of discussions which form part of the process of policy development and analysis.

Public Appointments (Diversity)

Anne Begg: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he plans to take to ensure that Government departments (a) undertake the duties outlined in the Cabinet Office Diversity in Public Appointments document and (b) report on the numbers of disabled people who hold public appointments in their departments.

Christopher Leslie: The publication "Public Bodies: Opening Up Public Appointments 2002–05" sets out for each Department specific targets for increasing diversity on the boards of the Public Bodies it sponsors and the action that will be taken to ensure that the targets are met and for monitoring progress. The numbers of appointments held by men, women, disabled people and people from ethnic minority backgrounds, will be reported in the annual Public Bodies data on the numbers of disabled appointees on bodies sponsored by some Departments was not available but, as noted in that publication, this information will be compiled for inclusion in Public Bodies 2002. Copies of Public Bodies: Opening up appointments 2002–05 and Public Bodies 2001 have been placed in the Libraries of the House and are available on-line at http://www.quango.gov.uk.

Departmental Report

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the 2002 Departmental report will be published.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith), on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 774W.

Union Duties

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2002, Official Report, column 1265W, regarding paid leave for staff to undertake union duties, if the two officers of Cabinet Office agencies who spent part of their time undertaking union duties on an ad hoc basis are required to obtain in advance line management approval for such time off.

Christopher Leslie: Yes.

Union Duties

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2002, Official Report, column 1265W, regarding paid leave for staff to undertake union duties, how many days have been spent on union duties by the two officers of Cabinet Office agencies who undertake union duties on an ad hoc basis.

Christopher Leslie: The information requested is as follows.
	1998–99: 75 days
	1999–2000: 70 days
	2000–01: 63 days
	2001–02: 54 days.

Overtime

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on overtime payments for staff in his Department.

Christopher Leslie: Cabinet Office policy on overtime working is that where possible it should be kept to a minimum and used at times of exceptional pressure once alternatives have been explored. Where overtime is necessary managers are required to:
	use volunteers;
	give staff 48 hours notice whenever the requirement cannot be met by volunteers;
	avoid regular calls to fulfil the requirement on particular blocks of staff;
	avoid weekends.
	Cabinet Office rules on overtime working which complies fully with Section 9 of the Civil Service Management Code.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

EMNVISAT Project

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the ENVISAT project.

Patricia Hewitt: ENVISAT, Europe's latest Earth Observation satellite, was successfully launched on 1 March. The £1.4 billion satellite will provide vital information about global warming, climate change and the depletion of the ozone layer. ENVISAT is the most complex Earth Observation satellite ever built, carrying 10 instruments which are able to detect environmental change to an unprecedented accuracy.
	The UK Government has invested £300 million in the project, which has been steered by the British National Space Centre (BNSC) in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and UK industry. 12 UK firms have played a vital part in the development and construction of ENVISAT, with many more standing to benefit from exploitation of ENVISAT's data in downstream sectors.
	ENVISAT has reached its correct orbit and is delivering valuable data back to Earth for use by environmental researchers. Such data will provide a health check of our planet. It will monitor changes in the oceans, ice caps, vegetation and our atmosphere and its findings will underpin the future development of environmental policy.

Spacecraft

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the spacecraft which the UK is (a) operating and (b) funding; who owns the spacecraft; and what the purpose of each mission is.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Baillieston (Mr. Wray) on 11 March 2002, Official Report, columns 675–677W.

Accounting Industry

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to review the competition implications of the arrangement between Deloitte & Touche and Andersens UK in the accounting industry; if she intends to make a reference to the competition authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 17 April 2002
	Any proposed merger which meets the qualifying threshold would be considered by the European Commission under the European Community Merger Regulation. The parties concerned have not yet made a formal notification to the Commission.
	As Ministers have a role in the regulatory process for considering mergers it is not appropriate to make a statement about the proposed merger.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what services the UK Government (a) unilaterally and (b) as part of the European Union will be requesting be liberalised under World Trade Organisation's general agreement on trade in services to be specified by 30 June.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, columns 368–69W.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on how the liberalisation of social services under the World Trade Organisation's general agreement on trade in services will affect women as (a) citizens and (b) workers;
	(2)  what impact assessment has been made of how the liberalisation of social services under the World Trade Organisation's general agreement on trade in services to be specified by 30 June will affect women as (a) citizens and (b) workers.

Patricia Hewitt: No country has so far tabled a negotiating proposal or request calling for liberalisation of social services in the current World Trade Organisation negotiations on trade in services. Unless any do so, the impact will be nil.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what commitments the Government have made under the World Trade Organisation's general agreement on trade in services regarding the liberalisation of public services.

Patricia Hewitt: Public services—ie services supplied in the exercise of governmental authority—are in principle excluded from the scope of the GATS. The Government have therefore made no commitments under the GATS under which public services would be liberalised, and has said previously that it will make no commitments in the current World Trade Organisation negotiations that could call into question the supply of public services through for example the NHS or state educations system.
	For the sake of clarity, the United Kingdom already allows the establishment of private educational establishments, hospital services and convalescent, rest and old people's homes, for example, and made commitments during the Uruguay Round confirming this market access.

Research Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 86W, on the Research Council, what the Government's policy was on the Commission's proposal to amend the negotiating mandate on the legal aspects of a possible International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, in order to include possible site offers for ITER in Europe and cost sharing provisions.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government support the Commission's proposal which is still under discussion by the council's research group.

Research Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 86W, on the Research Council, what the Government's policy was on the Commission's proposal for a negotiating mandate to discuss a framework agreement with the European Space Agency.

Patricia Hewitt: The UK has championed the development of closer relations between the European Community and the European Space Agency. The Government encourage the development of a framework agreement which would ensure increasing complementarity between the policies and activities of these two bodies, which have a substantial overlap in their membership.

Research Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 86W, on the Research Council, what the Government's policy was on the rules of participation and the specific programmes for the Sixth EU Research Framework Programme 2002–06 and Sixth EURATOM Framework Programme 2002–06.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government broadly supported the proposal for the EC 2002–06 Rules of Participation and Dissemination (COM (2001) 822 final) but wanted to see a number of amendments to underpin the principles of scientific excellence, independent peer review and transparency as well as public accountability and simplification of administrative procedures. The Government also wanted to ensure that the rules would encourage diverse participation, including by small and medium-sized enterprises and the candidate countries and enable member states to have access to policy related research results. In relation to the Euratom Programme rules (COM (2001) 0725 final), debate at Council focused on the Community financial contribution to projects where the UK supported the Commission's proposal for 17.5 per cent. basic support to national programmes.
	In relation to the Specific Programmes for the Sixth EU Research Framework Programme (COM 2002 (43) final), discussion centred on comitology. The Government's policy was to argue for a wider remit for the programme committees than that envisaged in the proposals, in order to ensure that member states continue to play an appropriate role in programme management.

Export Credit Bill

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about the impact of the Export Credit Bill on academic and scientific research; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government have consulted extensively, including with the academic community, throughout the development of the Export Control Bill, to which it is assumed this question is intended to refer. In the course of these consultations we received a number of representations about the potential impact of proposal on academic and scientific research. More recently the Government have received a number of further representations from parliamentarians, interested individuals and representative organisations on this issue. In response to concerns raised, the Government have tabled an amendment to the Export Control Bill to be moved at Report in another place. The amendment provides on the face of the Bill for protection of the principle of freedom to publish and to communicate information that has already been published.

Assisted Areas

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which areas qualified for consideration for the assisted areas map by virtue of being (a) substantially below the national average for employment and (b) substantially above the national average for (i) residence-based unemployment, (ii) work force-based unemployment and (iii) manufacturing employment share.

Alan Johnson: I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy in the Libraries of the House.

Assisted Areas

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which areas warranted further consideration in the formulation of the assisted areas map by virtue of their divergence from the national average in the prescribed indicators; if he will publish the rates averaged over the three years used for the purpose of formulating the assisted areas map, for each area of (i) employment, (ii) residence-based unemployment, (iii) workforce-based unemployment and (iv) manufacturing employment share; and what the standard deviation was for each for the purpose of the European Commission's regional aid guidelines, indicating those areas not chosen for inclusion in the assisted areas map.

Alan Johnson: I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy in the Libraries of the House.

WTO Agreement on Agriculture

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the proposal by developing countries to incorporate a development box in the WTO agreement on agriculture.

Patricia Hewitt: The UK is committed to securing a WTO agreement on agriculture which provides real and substantial benefits for developing countries. The proposal to consolidate such benefits in a special development box has attractions and has helped focus attention on developing country needs. I welcome those parts of the proposal which seek to integrate developing countries into world trade on terms that recognise their needs without constructing new barriers to trade.

Climate Change

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the external organisations set up by her as part of the Government's strategy to combat climate change indicating (a) their remits and (b) their sources of funding.

Brian Wilson: The Department has not itself established any external organisations as part of the Government's climate change programme. However, it has worked with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which leads on climate change policy on several initiatives. The Department has helped with the establishment of the Carbon Trust whose remit is to help the UK move towards a low carbon economy, by encouraging the development and uptake of low carbon technologies and administering energy support and advice for business. The Carbon Trust is funded from receipts from the climate change levy and also receives support from DEFRA, the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive.
	The Department also assists the Tyndall Centre at the university of East Anglia which supports the work in nine research institutions to promote understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change. The Tyndall Centre is funded by the National Environment Research Council (NERC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); and the Department contributes £210,000 over three years for the development of assistance to business on climate change causes and its consequences.

Radioactive Waste

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the cost in (a) discounted terms and (b) undiscounted terms of making radioactive waste safe, prior to a long-term solution being found at the BNFL owned Sellafield site and other BNFL owned sites.

Brian Wilson: The BNFL annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2001 estimated the company's total future cash expenditure for waste management as £5.9 billion and £12 billion in discounted and undiscounted terms respectively.
	The corresponding figures in the annual report and accounts for the year just ended are likely to be higher reflecting the revision of BNFL's historic waste management strategy which was outlined in my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's statement to the House on 28 November 2001.

Renewable Energy

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much direct Government funding has been made available to the renewables sector in the last financial year and the following year for (a) research and development, (b) capital investment and (c) revenue support; and to which projects it will be allocated.

Brian Wilson: The Renewables Obligation, the Government's main policy instrument for the promotion of renewable energy, came into effect from 1 April, and is financed through payments by electricity consumers. The earlier Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) was also financed in this way. Hence most public support for renewable energy is not direct Government funding.
	Estimated maximum payments available under the Renewables Obligation for England and Wales and the corresponding Renewables Obligation (Scotland) for 2002–03 are £282 million. The level of the obligation is set to rise each year to 2010–11, when maximum payments for the year are estimated to reach £1 billion. Actual payments, and the projects that will benefit, will depend on the capacity coming forward. Estimated payments from NFFO and comparable arrangements in Scotland in 2001–02 were £85.5 million. Payments under these arrangements are expected to decline substantially from 2002–03 onwards, following the introduction of the Renewables Obligation.
	The Government directly fund research and development in renewable energy through the DTI's Sustainable Energy Programme and through the Research Councils.
	
		£ million 
		
			  2001–02(22) 2002–03(23) 
		
		
			 DTI Sustainable Energy Programme 13.0 19.0 
			 Research Councils 5.0 5.6 
		
	
	(22) Revised estimated spend
	(23) Provision
	Research projects are currently funded in the following programme areas: biomass; waste; embedded generation; fuel cells; solar; wind; hydro; wave; tidal; technology transfer and exports. I am placing in the Libraries of the House a list of research projects funded under the DTI's programme in 2001–02. Details of relevant current research projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) can be found on the EPSRC website http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/epsrcgrants/ portfolio.asp by selecting 'Research Topics' and then 'Electricity Generation—Renewable and Clean'.
	In addition to the research programmes described, the DTI has been assigned a further £5 million over three years for wave and tidal demonstration projects and a further £4 million for net metering storage and control demonstration projects.
	The Government are also setting up capital grants programmes in the following areas with the following funding over three years:
	£74 million for offshore wind (including £10 million from the New Opportunities Fund)
	£69 million for bioenergy (including £36 million from the New Opportunities Fund and £3 million for biomass heating)
	£20 million for photovoltaics (PV).
	In addition, an element of the £10 million Community and Household Projects programme is expected to finance capital costs of these projects. Actual spend in each financial year, and the projects that will be supported, will depend on the applications coming forward.
	As has been indicated, revenue support for the renewables sector is provided through the Renewables Obligation rather than through direct Government funding. The sector also benefits from exemption of renewable electricity from the Climate Change Levy.

Chemical Industry

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on (a) the progress of the chemical industry's learning and skills strategy, (b) the programme to promote the spread of best practice, (c) support for chemical industry cluster initiatives and (d) the programme to support chemicals inward investment from north America.

Patricia Hewitt: My noble Friend the Minister for Science announced on 24 January the formation of a Chemicals Innovation and Growth Team (CIGT) as a partnership between Government, the industry, and other stakeholders to stimulate the growth and sustainability of a competitive chemicals industry in the UK.
	Among other things, the CIGT has been charged with identifying ways of improving competencies and skills in the industry. This will work alongside the new Sector Skills Council for chemicals manufacturing, oil and gas extraction and petroleum refining, in which the Government will be investing £2 million over the next two years.
	The Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence—a Government-industry partnership—is the primary body charged with improving manufacturing performance and productivity in the UK chemicals industry through the spread of best practice. To date this initiative has proved extremely successful. Many of the companies who have so far been through this process have seen improvements measured in hundreds of thousands of pounds.
	The chemicals industry has a number of natural clusters throughout the UK. In these primary areas, regional chemical initiatives have been formed to help improve networking between companies and to address collectively those issues which impact upon the competitiveness of the industry at a local or regional level. They are industry-led but have the active support and involvement of the DTI, the RDAs in those regions, and of Scottish Enterprise in Scotland. These cluster initiatives have proved of great value in helping to address the needs of the industry.
	A chemicals industry specialist was appointed in January 2001 to work with Invest UK to promote UK chemicals investment opportunities to companies in north America. He is working with Scottish Enterprise, the RDAs and the regional chemical initiatives on opportunities for new investment.

Miners' Compensation

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants have received a final settlement through each of the top 10 claims handlers for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

Brian Wilson: Nationally for chronic bronchitis and emphysema, the Department has made almost 68,500 individual payments and settled 24,000 claims, amounting to £293.6 million. In relation to vibration white finger (VWF), the Department has made 84,000 individual payments and settled over 38,000 claims, worth £512.1 million.
	In the time given, the Department cannot provide data broken down by claims handlers.

Miners' Compensation

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to date to each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

Brian Wilson: (a) The amount paid to each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for chronic bronchitis and emphysema is as follows:
	
		
			 Top 10 claims handlers Costs paid (£ million) 
		
		
			 Thompsons 11.3 
			 Hugh James Ford Simey 8.9 
			 UDM 3.1 
			 Raleys 4.8 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 0.8 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 3.8 
			 Graysons 2.2 
			 Watson Burton 1.6 
			 Irwin Mitchells 2.5 
			 Randell Saunders 0.5 
			 Total 39.5 
		
	
	(b) The amount paid to each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for vibration white finger is as follows:
	
		
			 Top 10 claims handlers Costs paid (£ million) 
		
		
			 Thompsons 6.1 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 4.5 
			 UDM 3.9 
			 Raleys 3.2 
			 Hugh James Ford Simey 3.2 
			 Graysons 2.2 
			 Moss 1.5 
			 Watson Burton 2.1 
			 AMS Law 1.2 
			 Towells 1.5 
			 Total 29.3

Miners' Compensation

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to claimants through each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

Brian Wilson: (a) The amount paid to claimants through each of the top 10 claims handlers for chronic bronchitis and emphysema is as follows:
	
		
			 Top 10 claims handlers Total damages paid (£ million) 
		
		
			 Thompsons 68.0 
			 Hugh James Ford Simey 56.6 
			 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 16.8 
			 Raleys 30.2 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 5.6 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 22.9 
			 Graysons 10.4 
			 Watson Burton 7.9 
			 Irwin Mitchells 14.0 
			 Randell Saunders 4.0 
			 Total 236.4 
		
	
	(b) The amount paid to claimants through each of the top 10 claims handlers for vibration white finger, VWF, is as follows.
	
		
			 Top 10 claims handlers Total damages paid (£ million) 
		
		
			 Thompsons 74.1 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 44.1 
			 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 46.1 
			 Raleys Solicitors 30.3 
			 Hugh James Ford Simey 30.8 
			 Graysons 23.4 
			 Moss 15.3 
			 Watson Burton 24.6 
			 AMS Law 13.8 
			 Towells 17.5 
			 Total 320.1

Post Office

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice will be given to customers of post offices which are expected to be closed in the restructuring of Post Office Counters networks in respect of where they will be able to receive post office counter services; and if she will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 15 April 2002
	The Post Offices objective in restructuring the urban network is to retain and expand its customer base at modernised, improved facilities. Sub-postmasters leaving the network will be encouraged to help achieve this, for example, assisting customers by advising them of the nearest post office and introducing them to services available at the new outlet. Consultation on closure will involve the community, local stakeholders, sub-postmasters and Postwatch.
	Under the Code of Practice, Post Office Ltd. are required to consult Postwatch on individual changes and plan to brief them on the process they envisage for reaching decisions.

Post Office

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many agency workers have been involved in delivering mail for the Royal Mail in the past year;
	(2)  how many cases of missing contents from post were recorded by the Royal Mail in the last year; of these, how many were investigated; and how many prosecutions were instigated.

Douglas Alexander: These are matters that falls within the day to day responsibility of Consignia and I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Office

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she has received from Consignia on the number of proposed closures of post offices in Norfolk.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 16 April 2002
	This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. The programme of urban restructuring has not yet begun.

Wainstones Plc

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent Wainstones plc may transfer to a third party the licence to build a gas-fuelled power station at Langage, Plympton.

Brian Wilson: Like any planning permission, the consent goes with the land and as such can be transferred.

Wainstones Plc

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the licence granted to Wainstones plc to build a gas-fuelled power station at Langage contained a condition as to timescale for commencement of the project.

Brian Wilson: The commencement of the development must be before the expiry of five years from the grant of consent.

Corus

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on Government actions to encourage business and industry to develop in the areas affected by Corus Steel plant closures.

Alan Johnson: Measures to help the Tees Valley and Scunthorpe areas, including regeneration and improvements to infrastructure, training and advice for people leaving Corus and help in the establishment of small firms were announced on 3 May 2001 as part of a £135 million package responding to closures in England and Wales. These are now being implemented. Measures in Wales are matters for the Assembly.
	My Department is also in contact with the South Yorkshire Task Force, and will discuss their report with them once it has been finalised.

Lakshmi Mittal

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether she sought advice from HM ambassadors to (a) the Irish Republic and (b) Kazakhstan in connection with the takeover of Sidex by LNM/Ispat.

Patricia Hewitt: No I did not seek advice from either ambassador.

Small Businesses

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the Small Business Service about the regulatory burdens on small companies.

Nigel Griffiths: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has appointed me as the Minister for Small Business. Since January I have had three meetings with Small Business Service (SBS) officials specifically about regulatory burdens and had a number of other meetings where regulating issues have been discussed.

Broadband

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what policy initiatives are being considered in response to the recommendations of the Broadband Stakeholder Group.

Douglas Alexander: The Government response to the Broadband Stakeholder Group's report was set out in the UK Online annual report 2001, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Delegated Legislation

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the cost-effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Carrier 1 UK Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Forms) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Midlands Electricity plc) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Broadnet UK Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement.
	(5)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Companies (Disqualification Orders) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(6)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Alpha Telecom Communications Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(7)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Limited Liability Partnerships Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(8)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (-E Tel) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(9)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(10)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insurers (Winding Up) (Scotland) Rules; and if she will make a statement;
	(11)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for Use Outdoors Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(12)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Employment Protection (Continuity of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(13)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insolvency (Amendment) Rules; and if she will make a statement;
	(14)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Utilities Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions) (No. 2) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(15)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Williams Communications UK Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(16)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Commencement No.3 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(17)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (SSE Telecommunications Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(18)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Postal Services Commission (Register) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(19)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment No.2) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(20)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (First Mark Carrier (UK) Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(21)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Weighing Equipment (Beltweighers) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(22)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Electricity Act 1989 (Commencement No. 3) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(23)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Company and Business Names (Chamber of Commerce etc.) Act 1999 (Commencement) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(24)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Universal Access UK Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(25)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(26)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(27)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Utilities Act 2000 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions) Amendment Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(28)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Fibreway Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(29)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Partnership (Unrestricted Size) No.16 Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(30)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(31)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Companies (EU Political Expenditure) Exemption Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(32)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 (Electronic Communications) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(33)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Partnerships (Unrestricted Size) No. 17 Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(34)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insolvent Partnerships (Amendment) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(35)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Electricity from Non-Fossil Fuel Sources Saving Arrangements (Amendment) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(36)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Units of Measurement Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(37)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(38)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(39)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(40)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(41)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insolvency Fees (Amendment) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(42)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Working Time (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(43)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Energis Local Access Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(44)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Stop Now Orders (EC Directive) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(45)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules; and if she will make a statement;
	(46)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Commencement No.2) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(47)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Welsh Language Forums) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(48)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Batteries and Accumulators (Containing Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(49)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc.) (Modification) (Amendment) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(50)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Fossil Fuel Levy (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(51)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Companies (Unregistered Companies) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(52)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Consequential Modifications No. 1) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(53)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Registered Designs (Amendment) Rules; and if she will make a statement;
	(54)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Dismissal Procedures Agreement Designation (Electrical Contracting Industry) Order 1991 Revocation Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(55)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (GTS Network (Ireland) Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(56)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) (Amendment) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(57)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the GAS (Applications for Licences and Extensions and Restrictions of Licences) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(58)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Merger report (Interview SA and Bass plc) (Interim Provision) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(59)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Sub-Post Office Start-Up Capital Subsidy Scheme Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(60)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Post Office Company (Nomination and Appointed Day) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(61)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insolvent Companies (Disqualification of Unfit Directors) Proceedings (Amendment) Rules; and if she will make a statement;
	(62)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Utilities Act 2000 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(63)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Consequential Modifications to Local Enactments No. 1); and if she will make a statement;
	(64)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Supply, Sale and Export of Petroleum and Petroleum Products) (Revocation) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(65)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Limited Liability Partnership (Fees) (No.2) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(66)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Electricity from Non-Fossil Fuel Sources (Locational Flexibility) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(67)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(68)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Maternity and Parental Leave (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(69)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Commencement No. 8) (Amendment) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(70)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Commencement No. 8) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(71)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Disclosure of Information) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(72)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Employment Tribunals (Increase of Maximum Deposit) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(73)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) (Scotland); and if she will make a statement;
	(74)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Registered Designs (Fees) (Amendment) Rules; and if she will make a statement;
	(75)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habits) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(76)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Isle of Wight Cable and Telephone Company Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(77)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Dual-Use Items (Export Control) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(78)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Electricity (Applications for Licences and Extensions and Restrictions of Licences) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(79)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption); and if she will make a statement;
	(80)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(81)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(82)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insolvency Act 2000 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(83)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(84)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Offshore Combustion Installations (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(85)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Eigernet Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(86)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the ACAS Arbitration Scheme (England and Wales) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(87)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(88)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Utilities Act 2000 (Commencement No. 5 and Transitional Provisions) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(89)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (ntl Group Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(90)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Patents (Amendment) Rules; and if she will make a statement;
	(91)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Electricity Act 1989 (Requirement of Consent for Offshore Wind and Water Driven Generating Stations) (England and Wales) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(92)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Fees) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(93)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the EC Competition Law (Articles 84 and 85) Enforcement Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(94)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Telecommunications (Licence Modifications) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(95)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insolvent Companies (Reports on Conduct of Directors) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(96)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Electricity (Class Exemptions) from the Requirement for a Licence Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(97)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Weights and Measures (Metrication Amendments) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(98)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Postal Services Act 2000 (Determination of Turnover for Penalties) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(99)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Registered Designs Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(100)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insolvency Act 2000 (Commencement No. 2) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(101)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Nextlink UK Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(102)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Measuring Equipment (Cold-Water Meters) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(103)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Electricity from Non-Fossil Fuel Sources (Scotland) Saving Arrangements Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(104)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Company and Business Names (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(105)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Public Telecommunication System Designation (Verizon Global Solutions UK Ltd.) Order; and if she will make a statement;
	(106)  what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of the Merger (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(107)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Insolvent Companies (Reports on Conduct of Directors) (Amendment) Rules; and if she will make a statement;
	(108)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Electricity (Standards of Performance) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(109)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Utilities Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions) Regulations; and if she will make a statement;
	(110)  what assessment she has made of the cost- effectiveness of the Wireless Telegraphy (Broadband Fixed Wireless Access Licences) Regulations; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The Department makes an assessment of the costs and benefits of regulations when developing regulatory proposals. Where a regulatory proposal has an impact, in terms of costs, benefits and risks that affect businesses, charities and the voluntary sector, a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is undertaken to inform policy development. Final RIAs are placed in the Libraries of the House when the regulation is presented to Parliament, but are not required for regulations where it has been assessed that no or negligible costs or savings would be imposed or those that increase statutory fees via a predetermined formula. The Small Business Service are consulted on RIAs to ensure that the impact on small firms is not disproportionate.

Fair Trading Act

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, 
	(1)  pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 696W, if she will place in the Library details of her Department's strategy and procedures for enforcing the regulatory controls under Part XI of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and its amendments; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 695W, if she will place in the Library details of her Department's strategy and procedures for handling inquiries from the public on whether particular trading schemes are subject to the provisions of Part XI of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and its amendments; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 695W, on representations to her Department for amendments to the definition of single tier established in the Fair Trading Act 1973, if trading schemes with more than one UK master franchise that do not comply with the regulatory controls are classified as illegitimate trading schemes; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  pursuant to her answer of 25 March, Official Report, column 695W, if she will place in the Library details of her Department's strategy and procedures for protecting small participants who do not opt to register for VAT, thus ensuring their continued protection via the regulatory controls under Part XI of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and its amendments; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 695W, on representations to her Department for amendments to the definition of single tier established in the Fair Trading Act 1973, if she will place in the Library the description of Government policy on multi-level trading provided to those parts of the franchise industry lobbying for an additional exemption in S.I. 1997 No. 1887.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 16 April 2002
	Where a breach of legislation over which the Department has oversight is identified, and that breach is addressed by way of criminal sanction, the Department will consider bringing a prosecution, taking account of the evidential and public interest tests set out in the Code of Crown Prosecutors.
	The Department is unable to give legal advice about individual schemes in response to inquires from the public. The circumstances of individual schemes will vary. Individuals are advised that they should seek independent and impartial business and legal advice on a scheme prior to signing any agreement.
	All trading schemes within the scope of current legislation are expected to comply with the regulatory controls. Whether and how the regulatory controls apply will depend on the operation of the individual scheme. In particular, in order to establish whether a scheme is a "single-tier" scheme for the purpose of the legislation, a detailed assessment is required of the characteristics of the scheme in question.
	The effect of the legislation is that, if all participants in a scheme are not making taxable supplies in the UK and not registered for VAT, the regulatory controls would apply. The issue of when to register for VAT purposes is a matter to be determined by reference to revenue legislation.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost in 2001–02 was of the pay increase to staff in her Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible; and what the cost of the forthcoming increase will be in 2002–03.

Patricia Hewitt: The costs of pay awards for the 2001–02 pay years for each of the DTI organisations are estimated in the table. It is not possible to cost the awards more precisely since the increases in organisational paybill are also affected during the period over which they are paid by other factors including promotions and other staff moves.
	
		£ 
		
			 DTI organisations Cost of pay award 
		
		
			 Department of Trade and Industry 4,300,000 
			   
			 Agencies  
			 Companies House 650,000 
			 Employment Tribunal Service 620,000 
			 Insolvency Service 960,000 
			 Patent Office 1,100,000 
			 Radiocommunications Agency 890,000 
			   
			 Non-departmental Public Bodies  
			 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council 2,300,000 
			 Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils 2,000,000 
			 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 240,000 
			 Natural Environment Research Council 1,600,000 
			 Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council 220,000 
			 Economic and Social Research Council 74,000 
			 Medical Research Council 3,100,000 
			 Advantage West Midlands 200,000 
			 East Midlands Development Agency 130,000 
			 East of England Development Agency 120,000 
			 North West Development Agency 370,000 
			 One North East 330,000 
			 South East of England Development Agency 190,000 
			 South West of England Regional Development Agency 220,000 
			 Yorkshire Forward 210,000 
			   
			 Coal Authority £110,000 
			 Design Council £60,000 
			 Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service £1,500,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	Equivalent figures are not yet available for the 2002–03 pay years.

Parliamentary Questions

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what the cost was to her Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated;
	(2)  how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, Official Report, column 929W.

Departmental Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the 2002 departmental report will be published.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 774W.

Part-time Employees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what proportion of the staff of her Department are part-time employees.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 49W by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Race Equality

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will bring forward the Commission for Racial Equality's draft statutory code of practice on the duty to promote race equality.

Angela Eagle: Yesterday I laid before Parliament the Commission for Racial Equality's draft statutory code of practice on the duty to promote race equality.
	The code of practice will offer practical guidance to public authorities on how to meet their duty to promote race equality. Once the code of practice is brought into effect it will be admissible in evidence in any legal action, and a court or tribunal should take relevant provisions of the code into account.

United Nations Convention on the Child

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the reasons why he rejected the conclusions set out in the legal opinion obtained by Save the Children UK on the United Kingdom's Immigration Reservation to the United Nations Convention on the Child.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 17 April 2002
	We have carefully reviewed the reservation in the light of the legal opinion submitted by Save the Children and other recent requests that it should be withdrawn. We have taken legal advice which strongly suggests that the reservation remains necessary in order to maintain an effective immigration control. We consider that, not withstanding the reservation, there are sufficient checks and balances in place to ensure that children are protected.
	The United Kingdom always takes its international obligations seriously. We are obliged, under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, to consider all applications for asylum made in the United Kingdom. Each application is considered on its individual merits. While awaiting a decision on their claims, all asylum seeking children have access to primary health care and education facilities and there are currently no outstanding cases where the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has been cited by children seeking asylum here. The majority of asylum seeking children are, of course, accompanied by their families.
	We fully appreciate the potential vulnerability of unaccompanied children and the distress they may experience while awaiting a decision on their asylum claims. The need for anxious scrutiny is stressed in training and guidance to all staff involved in the asylum decision making process. Because of the particular sensitivities surrounding applications from unaccompanied children, their cases are given priority and dealt with by specially trained caseworkers, who are provided with comprehensive instructions setting out areas to consider when dealing with such applications. These instructions are available on the Internet and are reviewed on a regular basis.
	All unaccompanied minors who apply for asylum are referred to the Refugee Council's Panel of Advisers, a non-statutory body which acts as adviser to the child in his/her dealings with the Home Office and other agencies for the duration of the asylum claim. Unaccompanied minors are not entitled to benefits but are supported under the Children Act 1989 (maintenance and accommodation being provided by social services departments of the local authorities). It has been agreed that no unaccompanied child will be removed from the United Kingdom unless we are satisfied that adequate reception and care arrangements are in place in the country to which he/she is to be removed. If care arrangements cannot be established, the child is normally allowed to remain here exceptionally, outside the Immigration Rules, on compassionate grounds.
	For these reasons, we do not accept the recommendation made in the legal opinion forwarded by Save the Children.

Golden Jubilee

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made by his Department to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in respect of the eligibility of prison officers for a Golden Jubilee Medal.

Beverley Hughes: The question of the Prison Service and other groups being included in eligibility for the Golden Jubilee Medal was considered by the Ministerial Group. It was decided that eligibility should be restricted to members of the armed forces and the emergency services. However, I am determined to ensure that improvements are made to the existing recognition mechanisms. Later this year both a Prison Service long service award and a prison officer of the year award will be introduced. In addition, consideration is being given to the proposal for a Queen's prison service medal.

MI5 Files

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many MI5 files have been destroyed in each year from 1997 to date; and if all those destroyed were classified as red.

David Blunkett: holding answer 15 April 2002
	Information is not held by year in the way requested, and could only be retrieved at disproportionate cost. Approximately, 85,000 files have been destroyed since 1997.
	All files destroyed were classified red.

MI5 Files

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria have been applied to decide which M15 files should be subject to destruction; and what is the minimum period a file is no longer classified as (a) green and (b) amber before destruction is authorised.

David Blunkett: holding answer 15 April 2002
	A copy of the criteria for file retention is in the Library. These are consistent with the Public Records Act 1958 and are approved by myself the Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor. Criteria for retention and release of historically significant records are agreed with the Public Record Office and endorsed by the Advisory Council.
	There is no minimum period.

MI5 Files

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many files held by M15 have been destroyed subsequent to an application being made by the subject of a file for access under the Data Protection Act 1998.

David Blunkett: holding answer 15 April 2002
	None.

Correspondence

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (a) dated 14 February, regarding the Iona Community and (b) dated 10 October 2001, on asylum seekers.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 11 April 2002
	My noble Friend Lord Rooker wrote to the hon. Member regarding the Iona Community on 20 March 2002.
	He also responded to the hon. Member's correspondence on asylum seekers on 8 April 2002. I am sorry for the delay in replying.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of public correspondence he expects to be responded to within 20 days of receipt by March.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 10 April 2002
	To cover all aspects of this question, I have two figures regarding the Home Office response to public correspondence. The first figure is based on performance for the whole financial year 2001–02, and the second figure is based on performance just for March 2002.
	Correspondence responded to within 20 days of receipt:
	1 April 2001–31 March 2002: 77 per cent.
	1 March 2002–31 March 2002: 75 per cent.
	I consider the prompt answering of correspondence from the public to be a very important part of the Department's work.

Correspondence

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will answer the letters from the hon. Member for Vauxhall of 29 October 2001, 23 January and 26 February 2002, about a constituent (Home Office reference: E105598).

Angela Eagle: My officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my hon. Friend on 12 April 2002. I am sorry that she did not receive an earlier reply.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff have been employed by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is contained in 'Civil Service Statistics' published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office for the Government Statistical Service annually. For ease of reference, the figures for the Home Office are set out in the table.
	
		Full-time equivalents over 10 years
		
			  Home Office area  
			 Year (as at 1 April) Home Office Main Fire Service College Forensic Science Service UKPA HM Prison Service Grand total 
		
		
			 1992 — — — — — 49,739 
			 1993 (26)12,312 — — — 39,057 51,369 
			 1994(24) (26)12,368 — — — 38,003 50,371 
			 1994(25) 10,250 260 670 1,370 38,070 50,620 
			 1995 9,570 260 670 1,460 38,940 50,900 
			 1996 9,450 230 1,040 1,510 38,010 50,240 
			 1997 9,360 220 1,180 1,410 37,700 49,870 
			 1998 8,070 250 1,240 1,280 39,360 50,200 
			 1999 7,710 190 1,640 1,250 38,720 49,510 
			 2000 9,270 180 1,780 1,320 40,560 53,110 
			 2001 13,020 190 2,190 2,270 41,490 59,160 
		
	
	(24) Old FTE
	(25) New FTE
	(26) Including agencies
	Notes:
	1. With the new full-time equivalents calculation (1994 onwards), part-time staff are counted on the basis of the proportion of hours worked, formerly, they were counted as half.
	2. From 1999 casual staff have been added to permanent staff to give the total for all staff.

European Documents

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his position towards Council Document 13957/01, on Harmonisation of Criminal Punishment.

Bob Ainsworth: The Government believe that it is desirable to set common penalties for serious organised crime offences across the European Union (EU), in line with the conclusions of the Tampere European Council. Council document 13957–01 sets out different technical options for doing this, which were discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council on 6–7 December 2001. The Government supported the "combined" option described in the paper, whereby a limited range of penalties would be introduced based on a number of different minimum levels.
	Following further discussion of this option at the informal JHA ministerial meeting in Santiago de Compostela, 14–15 February, 2002 it has now been agreed that the "combined" option should be used as the basis for setting common penalties for offences in future EU instruments. Such penalties do not affect judicial discretion on sentencing in individual cases, nor do they prevent member states from establishing higher penalties than those required by European law.

Prisoners' Mail

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the reading by prison authorities of mail to prisoners from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The policy on prisoners' correspondence with their Members of Parliament is set out in Prison Standing Order 5B and D, copies of which are in the Library.

Prisons

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reason underlying the reduction in the key performance target for staff sickness, as published in the Prison Service Corporate Plan 2001–02 between 2000–01 and 2001–02.

Beverley Hughes: The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) target was agreed following the "Working Well Together" study published by the Cabinet Office in July 1998 and the recommendations of the National Audit Office report on the management of sickness in the Prison Service published in May 1999. The targets set aimed to achieve a stepped reduction in the average level of staff sickness by 20 per cent. by 2001 and 30 per cent. by 2003. These reductions are in line with Cabinet Office targets across the civil service.
	The sickness figures for April 2001–02 are not yet available. However, a figure for the year ending February showed a KPI of 13.93 days. The key performance target in the Corporate Plan 2001–02 was to ensure that average staff sickness did not exceed 10 working days by April 2002. The service will not meet its KPI target.

Prisons

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there was a waiting list for (a) reading, (b) writing, (c) computer skills training and (d) other educational courses at HM prisons in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the numbers of prisoners waiting to take up educational courses is not collected but we do know that waiting lists exist for courses in prison education departments including those in basic skills and computer skills. The Government are creating more learning opportunities through increased investment over the next two years and by mapping basic and key skills into learning in other prison regimes such as vocational training, workshops, kitchens and physical education so that prisoners can gain dual accreditation.

Dungavel Detention Centre

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will launch an investigation into conditions at the Dungavel Detention Centre for asylum seekers; how many asylum seeker detainees at the Dungavel centre are on hunger strike; if he will review provisions for visits and access arrangements to asylum seekers detained in asylum centres; and if he will take steps to ensure freedom of information provisions apply to asylum seeker detention centres.

Angela Eagle: We have no reason or intention to launch an investigation into conditions at Dungavel Removal Centre. We are confident that Premier Services Ltd., which manages and operates the centre, provides care of the highest order for all its detainees in line with the requirements of the Detention Centre Rules.
	Reports that have recently been circulating suggesting that there has been a hunger strike by a number of detainees at Dungavel are completely unfounded.
	On Tuesday 9 April 2002 a number of detainees announced their intention to stage what they termed a 'non-compliance' day. Detainees refused to get out of bed, take part in removal centre activities such as education or sport activities or eat in the centre's dining hall. They did, however, continue to buy food from the centre's shop.
	Most detainees ate lunch and supper the next day and the centre has been operating normally since.
	There are already in place a number of local befriending schemes at Dungavel and regular visits to detainees do take place. In addition, each removal centre has a Visiting Committee. The Visiting Committee is responsible for monitoring the state of the removal centre premises, the administration of the centre and the treatment of detainees. Dungavel has been visited by a range of representatives from national non-governmental organisations with a direct interest in asylum, immigration and detention.
	The freedom of information provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will, when implemented, apply to immigration removal centres.

Mental Health

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters from the mental health charity MACA of 22 August 2001, 16 October 2001, 19 December 2001 and 30 January 2002, about police handling of serious incidents involving people with mental health problems.

John Denham: A reply to my hon. Friend was despatched on Friday 12 April 2002. A separate reply to Mental After Care Association (MACA) will be sent this week.

Civil Servants

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out for each Civil Service grade within his (a) Department and (b) Department's executive agencies the (i) total number of staff employed, (ii) number aged (A) 16 to 25, (B) 26 to 35, (C) 36 to 45, (D) 46 to 60 and (E) over the age of 60 years, (iii) number of registered disabled and (iv) number of ethnic minorities.

Angela Eagle: I am sorry for the delay in replying. Information on staff as at 31 January 2002 in the Home Office and its Agencies by grade and age range is set out in the tables.
	Information in respect of part three and part four have been placed in the Library.
	
		Count of staff by ethnicity
		
			   White  Black  Asian  Mixed  Chinese  
			 Grade equivalent Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female 
		
		
			 Administrative Assistant 354 516 51 141 117 170 5 12 1 7 
			 Administrative officer 574 1,079 78 227 151 338 7 16 4 12 
			 Executive officer 1,652 1,647 118 213 160 293 13 16 4 13 
			 Grade 6 70 41 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Grade 7 252 179 0 3 5 1 2 3 0 0 
			 Higher executive officer 820 728 23 42 33 55 1 7 2 3 
			 Industrial grade 28 1 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Non-industrial casual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Sandwich course student 6 12 0 0 2 4 1 0 0 0 
			 Senior executive officer 391 259 6 4 11 7 3 2 2 0 
			 Senior grades total 87 49 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 
			  
			 Grand total 4,236 4,511 279 630 485 869 33 56 14 35 
		
	
	
		
			  Other Refused Unknown Total Ethnic as percentage of: Known as percentage  
			 Grade equivalent Male Female Male Female Male Female Ethnic Known Known All of all 
		
		
			 Administrative assistant 10 15 11 27 321 517 529 1,399 37.8 23.3 61.5 
			 Administrative officer 10 12 23 29 420 672 855 2,508 34.1 23.4 68.7 
			 Executive officer 26 31 77 81 605 612 887 4,186 21.2 16.0 75.3 
			 Grade 6 0 0 1 2 31 14 3 114 2.6 1.9 70.4 
			 Grade 7 0 2 9 3 70 44 16 447 3.6 2.8 78.0 
			 Higher executive officer 6 9 39 48 190 225 181 1,729 10.5 8.1 77.5 
			 Industrial grade 0 0 3 0 18 1 6 35 17.1 10.5 61.4 
			 Non-industrial casual 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Sandwich course student 0 0 0 0 8 13 7 25 28.0 15.2 54.3 
			 Senior executive officer 1 1 7 3 80 62 37 687 5.4 4.4 81.9 
			 Senior grades total 0 0 1 0 19 7 3 139 2.2 1.8 83.7 
			 Grand total 53 70 171 193 1,762 2,168 2,524 11,271 22.4 16.2 72.4 
		
	
	
		Count of staff by disability
		
			   With disability  With no disability  Percentage  
			 Grade Male Female Male Female Unknown male disabled 
		
		
			 Administrative assistant 30 48 825 1,337 14 3.4 
			 Administrative officer 39 73 1,213 2,307 14 3.1 
			 Executive officer 63 86 2,593 2,819 2 2.7 
			 Grade 6 0 0 104 58 0 0.0 
			 Grade 7 2 3 336 232 0 0.9 
			 Higher executive officer 23 31 1,091 1,085 0 2.4 
			 Industrial grade 1 0 54 2 0 1.8 
			 Non-industrial casual 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 
			 Sandwich course student 0 0 17 29 0 0.0 
			 Senior executive officer 10 6 490 332 1 1.9 
			 All senior grade totals 1 0 109 56 0 0.6 
			  
			 Grand totals 169 247 6,832 8,257 31 2.7 
		
	
	
		Count of staff by ethnicity
		
			  White Black Asian Mixed Chinese  
			 Grade equivalent Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female 
		
		
			 Administrative Assistant 34 63 5 7 6 13 1 0 1 0 
			 Administrative officer 171 367 6 18 8 33 1 1 2 1 
			 Executive officer 178 320 5 12 23 31 5 3 1 4 
			 Grade 6 28 9 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Grade 7 157 39 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Higher executive officer 184 289 2 7 8 11 1 1 6 2 
			 Sandwich course student 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 SCS equivalent 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Senior executive officer 120 111 3 1 4 3 0 3 1 0 
			  
			 Grand total 875 1,201 21 46 52 92 9 8 11 7 
		
	
	
		
			  Other Refused Unknown Total Ethnic as percentage of: Known as percentage 
			 Grade equivalent Male Female Male Female Male Female Ethnic Known Known All of all 
		
		
			 Administrative assistant 0 1 6 10 2 3 34 131 26.0 22.4 86.2 
			 Administrative officer 3 2 24 50 13 13 75 613 12.2 10.5 86.0 
			 Executive officer 4 6 10 15 11 22 94 592 15.9 14.5 91.1 
			 Grade 6 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 39 5.1 5.0 97.5 
			 Grade 7 0 1 1 0 2 1 5 201 2.5 2.4 98.0 
			 Higher executive officer 3 2 5 3 2 8 43 516 8.3 8.1 96.6 
			 Sandwich course student 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0.0 0.0 75.0 
			 SCS equivalent 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.0 0.0 100.0 
			 Senior executive officer 2 0 4 0 1 0 17 248 6.9 6.7 98.0 
			 Grand total 12 12 51 78 32 47 270 2,346 11.5 10.6 91.9 
		
	
	
		Count of staff by disability
		
			   With disability  With no disability  Unknown Percentage  
			 Grade equivalent Female Male Female Male Female Male disabled 
		
		
			 Administrative assistant 10 1 4 41 78 13 7.2 
			 Administrative officer 50 9 6 151 375 68 8.3 
			 Executive officer 14 2 6 196 372 39 2.5 
			 Grade 6 0 0 0 29 10 1 0.0 
			 Grade 7 0 3 0 157 42 3 1.5 
			 Higher executive officer 3 2 3 199 311 10 0.9 
			 Sandwich course student 0 0 0 0 3 1 0.0 
			 SCS equivalent 0 0 0 3 0 0 0.0 
			 Senior executive officer 0 2 1 124 114 9 0.8 
			  
			 Grand total 77 19 20 900 1,305 144 3.8 
		
	
	
		Prison Service by civil service grade equivalence
		
			 Grade 16 to 25 26 to 35 36 to 45 46 to 60 60 plus Total 
		
		
			 Administrative assistant 1,436 7,013 9,059 8,027 781 26,316 
			 Administrative officer 638 1,496 2,427 2,694 37 7,292 
			 Executive officer 148 854 1,580 1,935 62 4,579 
			 Higher executive officer 24 339 560 646 23 1,592 
			 Senior executive officer — 109 272 512 46 939 
			 Grade 7 — 48 148 291 6 493 
			 Grade 6 — 5 32 143 2 182 
			 Senior Civil Service — — 17 58 3 78 
			 Industrial grades 67 469 800 1,303 318 2,957 
			  
			 Total 2,313 10,333 14,895 15,609 1,278 44,428 
		
	
	
		United Kingdom Passport Service
		
			   Age range  
			 Grade 16 to 25 26 to 35 36 to 45 46 to 60 60 plus Total 
		
		
			 PO1 135 123 88 152 21 519 
			 PO2 55 47 44 38 3 187 
			 PO3 218 594 368 323 26 1,529 
			 SPS 0 0 2 0 0 2 
			 EO 15 165 169 83 2 434 
			 HEO 2 37 56 29 0 124 
			 SEO 0 6 26 21 1 54 
			 Grade 7 0 1 9 15 0 25 
			 Grade 6 0 0 2 4 0 6 
			 Senior Civil Service — — — 2 — 2 
			  
			 Total 425 973 764 667 53 2,882

Policing

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there are in England and Wales; and how many there were on 1 May 1997.

John Denham: The number of serving special constables in England and Wales on 31 September 2001 was 12,068. In March 1997 there were 19,874 serving special constables.
	The Government are committed to increasing the size of the special constabulary. Measures to achieve this would include improvements to the recruitment, training, conditions, management and deployment of specials—focusing their role on intelligence-led, high visibility patrolling and local crime reduction initiatives. In January 2002 we ran a press campaign targeting specials as part of the national recruitment campaign for the regular Police Service.

Policing

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of civilians to fulfil policing tasks.

John Denham: The use of civilian support staff in the police service is not a new concept. Support staff carry out a variety of administrative roles in police stations, and in headquarters units, in order to lighten the bureaucratic load on police officers.
	The Police Reform Bill contains provisions which will develop these roles further, allowing limited powers to be extended to police employed support staff who will work in four areas as investigating officers, escort officers, detention officers or community support officers (CSOs).
	These support staff will be employed by the police authority and will be under the direction and control of the chief officer. He or she will be responsible for deciding which of the limited powers currently provided for in the Bill they will be allowed to exercise.

Yarl's Wood

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether all asylum seekers in Yarl's Wood at the time of the recent fire have been properly accounted for.

Angela Eagle: 17 detainees held at Yarl's Wood removal centre at the time of the disturbance and fire remain unaccounted for. Efforts to locate them continue.

Illegal Immigrants

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the measures introduced by road hauliers to check for on-board illegal immigrants prior to cross-channel ferry embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Angela Eagle: The civil penalty provisions introduced by the 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act are intended to encourage hauliers to take effective measures to prevent unauthorised persons travelling in their vehicles. The number of clandestine entrants dealt with by the Immigration Service at Dover fell from 12,679 in 2000 to 9,225 in 2001, a reduction of 27 per cent. This indicates that while many hauliers have taken steps to properly secure their vehicles against unauthorised entry, a large number have not implemented effective systems to prevent this traffic.
	Because of the high volume of cross-channel freight traffic, the security measures and checks employed by hauliers can only be assessed in respect of individual vehicles selected for examination upon arrival in the United Kingdom.
	When vehicles are selected for examination at Dover, whether or not they are found to contain clandestine entrants, an assessment is made of the security measures in place. On average some 48 per cent. of vehicles examined are assessed as being properly secured.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations have taken place with the Ministry of Defence about using Hemswell Cliff as a possible site for an accommodation centre for asylum seekers.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 16 April 2002
	The Ministry of Defence is aware of our plans and officials of both Departments are in touch.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether evaluations of the sites proposed for asylum seekers accommodation centres will be published.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 16 April 2002
	The evaluations of the sites will inform site selection, acquisition negotiations and the evaluation of the forthcoming competition. As such, they will be commercially confidential. However, any forthcoming planning notifications will set out the basis on which the particular site was chosen.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the asylum seekers' accommodation centres in mainland Europe on which he is modelling the proposed centres to be established in the UK.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 16 April 2002
	Although the Home Office has recently commissioned research on the reception policies and practice of four European countries, our proposals are not directly based on any particular model.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks have been made on the services infrastructure at Hemswell Cliff as part of the assessment process to determine whether Hemswell Cliff is a suitable site for an asylum seekers' accommodation centre.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 16 April 2002
	No such checks took place prior to the announcement of the potential sites for trial accommodation centres. A range of factors, including the practicability of service provision, will be taken into account at every site before final decisions are made.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 11 February 2002 to the hon. Member for mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff), Official Report, column 57W, on asylum accommodation centres, when he expects to announce the selected locations of the proposed accommodation centres for asylum seekers.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 718W.

Asylum Seekers

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the consequences are for an asylum seeker in the pilot induction centre in Dover of a failure to comply with the requirement to sign, before leaving the induction centre, a declaration confirming that he or she understands the processes that accompany a claim for asylum and support and his or her obligations within those processes.

Angela Eagle: As the White Paper "Secure Borders, Safe Havens", published on 7 February 2002, made clear asylum-seekers, before they leave the induction centre, will be asked to sign a document confirming that they understand:
	the processes that accompany their claim for asylum and support;
	their obligations to comply with temporary admission and reporting arrangements;
	the requirement to leave the United Kingdom should their asylum claim fail;
	how they can obtain assistance to return.
	This will enable proper monitoring and ensure that all asylum-seekers are receiving accurate information and advice and so are aware of what is likely to happen during the consideration of their claim and the likely time- scales involved.
	At present there are no consequences for asylum seekers who refuse to sign the declaration.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  in relation to land vacated by Ministry of Defence Logistics at Bicester, what consultations have taken place with the providers of local services as to the extra demands that will be placed upon them by using this site as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers; if he will specify the organisations consulted; and if he will place copies of correspondence with the bodies concerned in the Library;
	(2)  in relation to land vacated by the Ministry of Defence logistics at Bicester, what consultations have taken place in the provision of local services as to the suitability of such a site for an accommodation centre for asylum seekers; if he will specify the organisations consulted; and if he will place copies of correspondence with the bodies concerned in the Library.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 15 April 2002
	We have not yet consulted with providers of local services. However, we will consult local service providers as part of the planning process. We envisage that accommodation centres will be essentially self-contained communities with the majority of necessary services provided on site.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2002 to the hon. Member for mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff), Official Report, column 1134W, on asylum accommodation centres, 
	(1)  for what reasons his Department is looking for sites for accommodation centres for asylum seekers beyond the South East of England;
	(2)  what his definition is of the South East of England.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 15 April 2002
	In accordance with existing policy on the dispersal of asylum seekers, the Government are looking to take the pressure off the south eastern areas of the country supporting the highest number of asylum seekers. These areas are those where the highest number of asylum seekers declare their applications, namely London and Kent.

Asylum Seekers

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what his policy is on the housing of asylum seekers on the Centrex site at High Ercall, Shropshire; and if he will make a statement on the suitability of the site for that purpose;
	(2)  if he plans to carry out a feasibility study into the suitability of the Centrex site at High Ercall, Shropshire, as a place for housing asylum seekers.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The Centrex site at High Ercall has not been offered to us for use during the trial of accommodation centres. It was put forward by the Angel Group as part of its contract with the National Asylum Support Service as possible dispersal accommodation for asylum seekers. I am unable to give details of any discussions which took place as part of that contract.
	Unless or until the site is offered I will not make any feasibility study about its possible use.

Asylum Seekers

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirements there are for asylum seekers to produce a valid passport; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: There are no requirements for asylum seekers to produce a valid passport when making an application for asylum in the United Kingdom.

Asylum Seekers

Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he or his Department has had discussions with the Angel Group Plc or any of its subsidiaries about housing asylum seekers at Otterburn Hall, Northumberland.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The National Asylum Support Service has not held any discussions with the Angel Group or its subsidiaries regarding the use of Otterburn Hall, Northumberland as accommodation for asylum seekers dispersed under the current arrangements.

Asylum Seekers

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were received at the Eurostar terminal at Waterloo; and how many asylum applicants were refused permission to board Eurostar trains at the Gare du Nord by British officials in each of the past 12 months.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 10 April 2002
	Local management information obtained from Waterloo International, indicates that 3,874 asylum applications were made at Waterloo International between January—31 December 2001.
	No asylum applications have been made to United Kingdom officials at Paris Gare du Nord, since the implementation of juxtaposed controls on 8 June 2001. Asylum applications made in France are the responsibility of the French Government.

Asylum Seekers

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will halt the deportation to Russia of further asylum seekers and refugees from Chechnya; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures he takes to ensure that asylum seekers and refugees from Chechnya who are deported from the UK to Russia safely return to Chechnya;
	(3)  how many people from Chechnya have been deported to Russia in each of the last two years for which figures are available; how many were males in the age group 18 to 35; and how many he has estimated have safely returned to Chechnya;
	(4)  what account is taken of military involvement by Russian troops in Chechnya when considering the deportation to Russia of asylum seekers and refugees from Chechnya.

Angela Eagle: Applications for asylum from people from Chechnya are considered on their individual merits, in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention.
	A decision on whether or not an unsuccessful asylum applicant from Chechnya is returned to the Russian Federation will depend on the facts of the particular case. Full account is taken of objective country information about the situation for Chechens including the ability of the individual concerned to reside in other parts of the Russian Federation.
	The Home Office closely monitors the situation and a country assessment on the Russian Federation is published on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's internet site. The assessment was revised in October 2001. It is currently being revised and will be published shortly.
	The policy is to remove unsuccessful Chechen asylum seekers to the Russian Federation if they have no other basis of stay in the United Kingdom, and if there is the possibility of internal relocation in the Russian Federation. This is in accordance with guidance issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). There are no plans to review this policy.
	Statistical information on asylum seekers from Chechnya is not separately recorded from that on asylum seekers from other parts of the Russian Federation. The statistics requested are not therefore available.

Asylum Seekers

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will send immigration officials to the Sangatte refugee camp in France to take asylum applications there.

Angela Eagle: We have no plans to send United Kingdom immigration officials to Sangatte to process asylum applications. The United Kingdom's obligations under the 1951 United Nation convention on the status of refugees are engaged only after applicants have arrived in this country. We are working closely with the French authorities to address the problems of cross-Channel illegal immigration. Our shared aim is to achieve a situation in which the Red Cross Centre at Sangatte would be unnecessary.

Asylum Seekers

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effect of access to the Channel Tunnel by asylum seekers on the French side on British exports and imports using this route as a form of transportation; what the implications are of this situation on the future of British businesses using the Channel link; and what measures are being taken in liaison with the French authorities and British businesses in order to identify a physical deterrent to the problem of refugees who are preventing the safe and effective passage of transportation through the Channel Tunnel link.

John Spellar: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government recognise that the disruption caused by would-be illegal immigrants is causing severe hardship to many businesses in this country who depend on reliable freight services through the Channel Tunnel.
	The removal of the restrictions is dependent on the implementation of additional security measures at the Calais Fréthun yard so that SNCF can deal effectively with potential illegal immigrants. The Government continue to press the French Government at the highest levels to provide adequate policing resources at Fréthun to support the anti-intrusion measures already being installed by SNCF in order to address the disruption to Channel Tunnel services caused by would-be illegal immigrants. We welcome the additional resources that have already been deployed. The Government also welcome the recent announcement by the French Government of proposals to further strengthen the anti-intrusion measures at Fréthun.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Public-private Partnerships (Consultants)

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the total external spending by the Department was on public private-partnership consultants in each of the last four years; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were per year; what the implied average cost of each PPP consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by his Department over this period; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer on 4 February 2002, Official Report, column 714W, which gave information about PFI consultants. The total amount spent on PPP consultants, excluding PFI consultants, over the last four years is as follows:
	1998—£775.50;
	1999—£172,263.54;
	2000—£114,081.56; and
	2001—£179,593.63.
	The number of consultancy firms used over this period was eight. The other information requested about full-time equivalent consultants, billed consultancy days and the implied average cost of each consultant is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Census

Joan Walley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps are being taken to rectify the problems associated with the 1901 on-line census.

Rosie Winterton: QinetiQ Ltd. is continuing to work on the technical enhancements. These enhancements are intended to make the site sufficiently robust to permit general internet access. The most important consideration is to ensure that the service is relaunched successfully. In the first instance, the service will be reintroduced at the designated service centres throughout the country as part of a rigorous testing process. It will then be relaunched on the internet as soon as practicable thereafter, subject to satisfactory completion of this process.

Census

Joan Walley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans she has to initiate an inquiry into the problems associated with the 1901 on-line census.

Rosie Winterton: Lord Chancellor's Department officials are working closely with the Public Record Office and other parties involved with the 1901 census and are being kept fully informed of developments. I have no plans to launch an inquiry into the project.

Census

Joan Walley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria were used to evaluate the ability of QinetiQ to deliver the 1901 on-line census.

Rosie Winterton: The following criteria were used to evaluate the ability of QinetiQ to deliver the 1901 on-line census: commercial viability; customer service; innovation; operational impact on the PRO; organisational and cultural fit; risk management; technical feasibility.

Census

Joan Walley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which company was used to measure the capacity and size of system needed to manage the number of visitors to the 1901 on-line census.

Rosie Winterton: The system sizing was undertaken by QinetiQ Ltd.

Census

Joan Walley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what evaluation was done to assess the use of the 1901 on-line census; and if rationing of initial access occurred.

Rosie Winterton: The experience of large family history websites in the United States was investigated in order to chart likely levels and patterns of demand for the 1901 on-line census. In addition, a pilot project was conducted between April and July 2001 when the 1891 census returns for the county of Norfolk were made available over the internet. Rationing of initial access did not occur when the service was launched on 2 January 2002.

Census

Joan Walley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria will be used to assess the viability of companies who will be awarded contracts for the 1891 on-line census.

Rosie Winterton: In the event of a contract being awarded for the 1891 on-line census, the criteria for the award of that contract would be the same as for the contract awarded for the 1901 on-line census.

Land Registry

John McWilliam: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, under what circumstances the Land Registry is permitted to change the registered boundaries of land registered with it in the absence of supporting records or court decisions.

Michael Wills: The registered extent of a property can be changed only where it is established that the present registered extent is wrong. If someone believes that there is an error in the registered extent of their property, it is open to them to apply for rectification of the register and title plan under the relevant provisions of the Land Registration Acts and Rules. Any application for rectification must be supported by evidence. If satisfied that there is an arguable case for rectification, the Land Registry will serve notice on interested parties, and may rectify the register or title plan if no objection is received, or if any objection which is received is considered to be groundless. In any other case, the Land Registry can correct an error in the register or title plan only with the consent of all relevant parties, or following a judicial determination by the Court, or by the Solicitor to HM Land Registry. The Court and the Solicitor will order rectification of the register or title plan only if (1) it is established on the evidence that there is an error, and (2) they consider that they should exercise their statutory discretion in favour of rectification.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

James Gray: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many contracts the Lord Chancellor's Department has with consultants; what level of professional indemnity insurance is standard in contracts with small consultants; whether he can make exceptions to the level of professional indemnity insurance; and what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments about the level of professional indemnity insurance.

Michael Wills: The Lord Chancellor's Department currently has 67 contracts with consultants.
	For the majority of these contracts, professional indemnity insurance is not required.
	Where professional indemnity insurance is considered appropriate, eg for construction-related contracts, the nature and value of the contract will determine the level of insurance required, regardless of the size of the consultancy firm.
	As with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of discussions that form part of the process of policy development and analysis.

HEALTH

Smoking

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department has spent on school education on the dangers of tobacco smoking in the last 12 months.

Yvette Cooper: In 2001–02, the sum of £250,000 has been spent on the development of a series of short films made by young people, with expert assistance. The Department has also commissioned a teaching pack for schools. The short films are designed to encourage discussion of smoking issues. The films have been shown on 'Trouble TV', a youth network with the highest youth profile in the UK. Trouble TV are showing the films free of charge, donating airtime worth approximately £800,000 to the project.
	The Healthy Schools programme, to which £7.7 million has been allocated this year, includes smoking prevention in a wide range of educational activity designed to improve children's health.
	We recognise that children and young people smoke for different reasons. There is no single cause. That is why we:
	have agreed an Enforcement Protocol with local authorities to strengthen the enforcement of the existing legislation on under-age sales of cigarettes; and
	support proof of age card schemes, which protect shopkeepers and children alike.
	will introduce tobacco advertising ban.
	These measures are supported by an overarching Tobacco Education Campaign launched in December 1999 aimed at persuading and helping smokers to give up and non-smokers, including children and young people not to start.

Myodil

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been carried out into the side effects of myodil.

John Hutton: Myodil was first marketed in the 1940s and was granted a Product Licence of Right in 1972 after the introduction of the Medicines Act 1968.
	Myodil has not been marketed in the UK since 1987, when the manufacturers withdrew the product for commercial reasons. At the time of licensing, published case reports and spontaneous reports received by the company and regulatory agencies led to the inclusion of a warning about the occurrence of post-myelography arachnoiditis in the product information for Myodil.
	There have been over 50 publications in the scientific literature relating to Myodil, including human and animal studies. These have included research in to patients who had received myodil to evaluate the risk of arachnoiditis. In general these studies do show an increased risk of arachnoiditis in patients, especially if they had a history of previous spinal surgery or spinal stenosis. When Myodil was used in procedures away from the lumbar spine there did not appear to be an increased risk. A published animal study in 1982 comparing Myodil with another contrast agent also showed an increased risk of arachnoiditis. Other studies have evaluated the use of Myodil for diagnostic procedures without looking specifically at safety or long term issues.

Hospices

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of voluntary adult hospices will be eligible to receive grants from the New Opportunities Fund.

Richard Caborn: I have been asked to reply.
	£22 million is available under the New Opportunity Fund's Palliative Care programme to extend adult palliative care provision in areas of need. The fund aims to support the provision of home-based palliative care for adults with cancer and other life threatening or life limiting conditions. Hospice care is not eligible for funding through this programme though adult hospices are eligible to apply to provide home based care services providing they meet the programme eligibility criteria.

Performance Measurement

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the usefulness of the quality adjusted life year as a measure; and if he will make a statement on how it is used by the NHS and his Department.

Yvette Cooper: Quality adjusted life years (QALY's) are commonly used in the national health service and elsewhere to compare different treatments which prolong life or improve the quality of life. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence uses QALY's as part of its range of tools to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of treatments which it is appraising, prior to issuing its guidance to the NHS.

Food Standards

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to respond to the long-term reduction in the mineral content of UK food.

Yvette Cooper: The evidence on whether there has been a reduction in the mineral content of foods generally is unclear. This is due to the differences over time in study methodologies and because mineral levels naturally occurring in foods can vary widely due to a range of factors.
	Experts advise that the overall balance of the diet is more important than the nutrient content of individual foods. It is for this reason that Government activity has concentrated on promoting the uptake of a healthy balanced diet.

Food Standards

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether advice on the need to provide clear information about levels of uncertainty contained in Guideline 2000 applies to advice given by the Food Standards Agency to (a) the public and (b) the Government.

Yvette Cooper: Guidelines 2000 on "Scientific Advice and Policy Making" is aimed at all Government Departments. The Guidelines do apply to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which is a non-ministerial Department.
	As its guiding principles are "Putting the consumer first", "Being open and accessible" and "Being an independent voice", the FSA gives advice both to the public and to the Government. Policy issues are discussed at meetings of the FSA board which are open to the public, and the right for the Agency to publish its advice to Ministers (subject to specified conditions) is enshrined in section 19 of the Food Standards Act 1999.

Breast Cancer

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide a specialist breast cancer centre of excellence in the north-west.

John Hutton: holding answer 11 March 2002
	The Calman Hine Report states that where appropriate, cancer services should be provided close to patients. Furthermore, the large volume of patients attending for assessment, diagnosis and treatment together with the current available evidence suggests that a single centre of excellence would be impractical. Therefore there are no plans currently in the north-west region to develop a single centre specialising in breast cancer treatment.
	All NHS providers of care for breast cancer patients have recently been appraised against the national standards contained in the "Manual of Cancer Standards". The three cancer networks within the north-west now have the results of those appraisals and are working with those providers to develop action plans where necessary and to prompt further developments as appropriate.

Leukaemia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost is of the assessment of the drug Glivec for chronic myeloid leukaemia; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising Glivec for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia. As this appraisal is ongoing it is not possible at this time to give a cost of the assessment of Glivec.

Domiciliary Oxygen Services

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of domiciliary oxygen has been prescribed by (a) GPs and (b) hospital respiratory specialists in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: Domiciliary oxygen is only prescribed by general practitioners in England.

Stolen Equipment

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2002, Official Report, column 1160–64W, on stolen equipment, whether the computer equipment stolen from his Department was (a) new and unused and (b) used; and what the nature was of the data stored on such items in each case.

John Hutton: holding answer 20 March 2002
	Since May 1997 in total 170 items of departmental computer equipment have been stolen. Some 30 items were new (unused) equipment. The information stored generally concerned policy and finance issues. No departmental information was stored on new items. All the information should have been protected by password only access. There is no indication that unauthorised access has been gained to any information.

Secondments

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members of staff were employed by his Department on secondment from non-governmental organisations in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of secondments 
		
		
			 1999–2000 20 
			 2000–01 62 
			 2001–02 49 
			  
			 Total 131 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health interchange database 1 April to 31 March

Dentists

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of female dentists on the (a) General Dental Council list and (b) health authority list practise in (i) the Government Dental Service full time and (ii) the Government Dental Practice Service for the NHS full time.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 21 March 2002
	Dentists on health authority lists are self-employed principal dentists. They do not have a standard working week and can vary their working hours.
	In March 2000 the Office of Manpower Economics (OME) carried out a survey into the hours of work and workload of principal dentists taking any part in the General Dental Service (GDS) in Great Britain.
	The survey found that 49 per cent. of female principals in the GDS considered themselves as carrying out dental work full-time. This would be equivalent to about 3,000 of the 6,122 female principals in the GDS in the UK at 31 December 2001. The survey found that about one quarter of full-time principals spent 100 per cent. of their time on GDS work. This would be equivalent to 780 female principals at December 2001.
	10,194 female dentists were on the General Dental Council (GDC) Register at 1 January 2002. The 3,000 principals estimated to be doing dental work full-time are equivalent to 29 per cent. of the females on the GDC register. The 780 principals estimated to be doing dental work full-time and spending 100 per cent. of their time in the GDS are equivalent to 8 per cent. of the females on the GDC register.

Unpaid Advisers

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of the unpaid advisers appointed by him and his predecessors since June 1997, stating in each case (a) the date of their appointment, (b) the duration of their appointment and (c) the project or projects on which they have been engaged.

John Hutton: holding answer 25 March 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend for Shipley (Christopher Leslie) on 16 November 2001, Official Report, column 958W.

Health Services (Barnet)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of public transport links from (a) Colindale, (b) Burnt Oak and (c) West Hendon to (i) Barnet Hospital and (ii) Northwick Park East Hospital at (A) midnight, (B) 2 am and (C) 4 am; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 25 March 2002
	It is the responsibility of local national health service bodies to ensure that services are accessible to members of the public.

General Practitioners

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of general practitioner surgeries who were using clinical computer systems in March 1999 were connected to the NHSnet by the end of 1999.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 25 March 2002
	Approximately 29 per cent. of computerised general practitioner (GP) practices had NHSnet connections by the end of 1999.
	There are now currently 98 per cent. of GP practices connected to NHSnet. The outstanding GP practices are those for whom it is not currently cost-effective to provide NHSnet connections, for example those planning to merge, or where the practitioner is planning to retire. Remaining work is being carried forward as part of the wider strategic target to connect all national health service staff by March 2003.

Special Advisers

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times special advisers have accompanied Ministers on overseas visits in each of the last five years; which countries were visited; and what the total cost of each individual visit was.

John Hutton: holding answer 10 April 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Collins) by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Ms Blears) on 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1142W.

Ambulances

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average response time for ambulances in each of the NHS trusts in Lancashire has been in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many ambulances have been available to each NHS trust in Lancashire in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: Response times are not measured on the basis of the national health service trust to which the patient is conveyed. Neither are individual vehicles assigned to specific NHS trusts.
	Information about ambulance responses to emergency calls is not available for individual NHS trusts in Lancashire. Information about Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust and all other ambulance NHS trusts, about the proportion of emergency calls resulting in an ambulance arriving at the scene of the reported incident within the Government's target response times is contained in the Department's statistical bulletin "Ambulance Services, England 2000–01". A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library, and at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0115.htm

Ambulances

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce yellow as the mandatory colour for ambulances.

Jacqui Smith: The Department currently has no plans to introduce yellow as the mandatory colour for ambulances.

Section 64 Funding

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the organisations which receive funding under the section 64 General Scheme under the Health and Public Services Act 1968; and how much money each received in the last financial year.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Junior Doctors' Hours

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of trusts are meeting New Deal hours targets for junior doctors.

John Hutton: From figures produced at the September 2001 monitoring round, 24 per cent. of trusts were reported to be meeting the New Deal requirements. However, the 66 trusts involved are mostly small community trusts, in total employing only 6 per cent. of all doctors in training, and only 11 per cent. of all doctors meeting the New Deal. Overall, 64 per cent. of junior doctors in all types of trusts complied fully with the New Deal hours and rest requirements at 30 September 2001.

Ward Housekeepers

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS trusts employ ward housekeepers.

John Hutton: The NHS Plan set a target for 50 per cent. of all hospitals to have housekeepers working on wards by 2004. Data compiled in March 2002 show that 41 per cent. of NHS trusts, excluding ambulance trusts, report that they are employing housekeepers within their hospitals on a number of their wards.
	
		
			   Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Acute trusts with housekeepers 73 49 
			 Community trusts with housekeepers 19 27 
			 Mental health trusts with housekeepers 10 30 
			 Multiservices trusts with housekeepers 19 40

Syphilis

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to combat the rise in syphilis.

Yvette Cooper: We have funded a range of national and local interventions aimed at reducing the recent resurgence of syphilis in England. These include an awareness campaign for groups most at risk of syphilis, reviewing and updating of national enhanced laboratory surveillance for syphilis and improving outbreak management skills. We have also funded local interventions in London, Manchester and Brighton, which complement national initiatives, but are more targeted, appropriate and sensitive to local circumstances.
	In addition, the Sexual Health and HIV Strategy announced a new mass-media safer-sex campaign to improve awareness of sexually transmitted infections and how to avoid them. This is planned for the autumn.

Drug Abuse

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much NHS spending there was in 2001–02 on serological screening and direct investigative testing for (a) HIV, (b) chlamydia and (c) related hepatitis due to drug abuse and usage.

Yvette Cooper: Information about NHS spending on serological screening and direct investigative testing for these infections is not collected centrally. The National Blood Service spent £1.575 million on screening the blood supply for HIV in 2001–02 (and a further £7.138 million on screening for hepatitis B and hepatitis C).

Patient Travelling Expenses

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the entitlement is of patients to claim expenses (a) when travelling between their home and hospital and (b) when travelling between their home and the point of departure for international treatment.

Jacqui Smith: Anyone on a low income, who needs to go to hospital for national health service treatment under the care of a consultant may claim full or partial reimbursement of travelling costs. Help is provided on an income-related basis through the hospital travel costs scheme which is part of the NHS low income scheme. If such a patient is travelling abroad for NHS treatment, they may also receive assistance with travelling costs from home to the point of international departure through the hospital travel costs scheme.
	Information on the above schemes is contained in leaflet HC11 'Are you entitled to help with health costs?' available either in the Library or www.doh.uk/ nhscharges/hc11.htm.

Vulnerable Adults

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the introduction of the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list has been delayed until August 2002.

Jacqui Smith: It has been necessary to address complex issues on the healthcare aspects of the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (PoVA) scheme. When PoVA is implemented in August, it is the intention that the recently established Criminal Records Bureau will extend its services to include checks against the PoVA list.

Schizophrenia

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans the Government have to ensure that social workers, health workers and other people working with people suffering from schizophrenia receive better training and support;
	(2)  what additional support and training intitiatives have been implemented since 1997 for social workers, health workers and other people working with people suffering from schizophrenia.

Jacqui Smith: The Department of Health does not set the curricula for pre-registration and undergraduate health professional education. This is a matter for the professional regulatory bodies to determine.
	It is the responsibility of local managers of NHS organisations locally to determine both the work force and the skill mix they require to provide local health services and whether or not to fund training or continuing professional development (CPD) programmes for their staff. We are taking steps to ensure that training for all NHS staff relates closely to national service frameworks.
	The key drivers, principles and opportunities for education, training and CPD in the NHS are set out in the recently issued "Working Together—Learning Together, a Framework for Lifelong Learning for the NHS". The strategy is focused on ensuring all staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to work flexibly in support of patients and that they are supported to grow, develop and realise their potential and enhance their careers.
	On social care the Department has supported the new qualification for mental health staff, Certificate in Community Mental Health Care, that has been developed by the Mental Health Foundation and was launched in June 2000. This certificate is a vocational qualification aimed at practitioners in the mental health field who do not have a professional qualification relating to mental health. It is linked to NVQ Level 3.

Schizophrenia

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what measures the Government have put in place since 1997 to improve the financial integration and communication among Government agencies to help ensure a better service for people suffering from schizophrenia and their carers; and what assessment he has made of improvements as a result;
	(2)  what plans the Government have to improve the financial integration and communication among Government agencies to help ensure a better service for people suffering from schizophrenia and their carers.

Jacqui Smith: The Government's aim is to develop the whole range of mental health services so that all people can access the right services at the time when they need them. "The National Service Framework for Mental Health" (NSF), published in September 1999, has set the agenda for a comprehensive modernisation of mental health services.
	The document "Effective Care Co-ordination in Mental Health Services", issued in October 1999, stressed the need for all agencies to work together to meet clients' needs for health and social care in an integrated way. This principle applies across all mental health services, not just those for people with schizophrenia, although the NSF and the related NHS Plan commitments do identify people with severe mental illness as a high priority for improved services.
	The new services referred to in the NHS Plan are in the early stages of implementation but it is envisaged that, by 2004, 100,000 people will benefit from crisis resolution services, 20,000 from assertive outreach services, 7,500 from early intervention services and 5,000 from mental health in-reach services in prisons. Many of the recipients of these services will have schizophrenia.

Cystic Fibrosis

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people suffer from cystic fibrosis in (a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) the United Kingdom.

Jacqui Smith: Data is not available in the form requested. Data on finished consultant episodes (FCEs) for cystic fibrosis by health authority area of residence is shown in the table. As of 1 April 2002, Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority, Newcastle and North Tyneside health authority, Sunderland health authority and Northumberland health authority became the new Northumberland and Tyne & Wear health authority; and County Durham and Darlington health authority and Tees health authority became the new County Durham and Tees Valley health authority.
	
		
			 Health authority area FCEs 
		
		
			 County Durham and Darlington 139 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 71 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside 148 
			 Northumberland 56 
			 Sunderland 51 
			 Tees 122 
			 All areas of residence 7,939 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

Climate Change Levy

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the change in costs incurred by NHS trusts and health authorities as a result of the introduction of the climate change levy.

Yvette Cooper: The estimated cost of the climate change levy, paid by the national health service on national contracts, is almost £24.5 million inclusive of VAT.
	The effects of the climate change levy were designed to be offset by a reduction in the employers' national insurance contributions.

Tuberculosis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reported cases there were of TB in (a) London and (b) West Sussex in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 10 April 2002
	The number of reported cases of human tuberculosis in the London region and to West Sussex health authority from 1997 to 2000 is shown in the table.
	
		
			   Year  Number of tuberculosis notifications in London (by region) Number of tuberculosis notifications to West Sussex health authority 
		
		
			 1997 2,411 36 
			 1998 2,444 29 
			 1999 2,493 32 
			 2000 2,834 42 
			 2001(27) 2,917 62 
		
	
	(27) Provisional

Tuberculosis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the screening process for TB in children.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 10 April 2002
	Children are not routinely screened for TB unless they are in a high-risk group such as a close contact of a new TB case.
	A tuberculin skin test is carried out before BCG immunisation. The test assesses the individuals sensitivity to tuberculin protein. Those with a positive test are not given BCG. Those with strongly positive tests are referred to a chest clinic for assessment of the need for further investigation and treatment.

South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the benefits of the establishment of a South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust.

Jacqui Smith: I considered the application made to establish the South West Yorkshire Mental Health National Health Service Trust and approved it on the expectation that it will improve the quality of services provided to the people of Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield districts.

Mental Health

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place for involving people with mental health problems in decisions about their care and treatment.

Jacqui Smith: People of working age in contact with specialist mental health and social care services have their care and treatment co-ordinated under the care programme approach (CPA). The key principles of the CPA are applicable to all service users: they have a right to the thorough assessment of all their needs, the development of a care plan and a review of the care by the professionals involved in their care. It is envisaged that written care plans should be drawn up with the involvement of the service users, and where appropriate their carer. Any refusal to accept treatment or medication should be noted in the care plan along with the service user's reasons for refusal. Service users should be given the opportunity to sign the agreed care plan and then receive a copy. Users or carers must also be able to ask for a review of care at any time and annual audit should ensure that reviews are carried out.
	Further, any local audit of quality will need to include the views of service users, who should be given the opportunity to contribute to the setting of quality standards and measures. The views of service users are an effective indicator of the quality of services and must be included in any audit of service delivery.

Inquiries (Costs)

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of the (a) Ashworth high security hospital and (b) Victoria Climbié inquiries was.

Jacqui Smith: The direct cost to the Department of the inquiry into the personality disorder unit at Ashworth high security hospital was £2.3 million. This does not include the costs incurred by other statutory bodies involved in the inquiry, for example Ashworth hospital itself.
	The Victoria Climbié inquiry is ongoing and final costs will not be known until the end of the year.

Residential Care Homes

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money he estimates will be required by local authorities to meet the demand for residential care homes in the next 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Andrew Lidington) on 1 February 2002, Official Report, columns 626–27W. Gross expenditure by councils in England on residential care for adults was £3,557 million in 2000–01. Future expenditure will depend on changes in costs as well as in demand.

Residential Care Homes

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of elderly people in care are living in state-funded residential care homes.

Jacqui Smith: At 31 March 2001, there were 34,380 residents aged 65 and over supported by local authorities in local authority homes.

Residential Care Homes

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to revise the guidelines used by local authorities to determine charges for residential care in order to make the charges more reflective of the services provided.

Jacqui Smith: Government guidance on charges for residential accommodation is updated regularly. It is based on the principle that those people who are able to pay for their care should do so, while those who have limited income and assets contribute according to a fair financial assessment. Advice on the fees which local authorities should negotiate with care home owners is contained in "Building Capacity and Partnership in Care", an agreement between central government and the statutory and independent social and health care and housing sectors. The agreement states that fee setting should take into account the legitimate current and future costs faced by providers, the factors that affect these costs and the potential for improving performance and more effective ways of working.

Nursing Staff

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 931W, on nursing staff, how many posts have been filled in April.

John Hutton: holding answer 17 April 2002
	Available information was published in a report, 'Modern Matrons in the NHS: a progress report', on 15 April 2002, showing that there are 1,895 nurses in modern matron posts across the NHS in England.

Social Services

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local authority social services are in special measures.

Jacqui Smith: There are now 10 councils with social services responsibilities subject to special measures by the social services inspectorate: Coventry, Hackney, Haringey, Lambeth, Lancashire, Merton, Newham, North East Lincolnshire, Peterborough and Sheffield.

Social Services

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of social services staff posts are (a) filled by permanent staff, (b) filled by agency staff and (c) vacant.

Jacqui Smith: This information requested is not collected centrally.

Resource Allocation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the components of the weighted capitation formula used to allocate resources to PCTs.

John Hutton: We currently allocate funding to health authorities, and they allocate funding to primary care trusts (PCTs), on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each health authority and PCTs fair share of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of services for populations in equal need.
	The formula has the following components: hospital and community health services; HIV/AIDS; general practice infrastructure, i.e. practice staff wages, premises and equipment; general practice prescribing, i.e. drug costs of prescriptions dispensed not dispensing fees; and general medical services non-cash limited.
	In future the intention is that allocations will be made direct to primary care trusts. This is subject to the passage of legislation through Parliament. Allocations will continue to be based on the principle of weighted capitation.

Speech Therapists

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many speech therapists are employed (a) by the national health service and (b) by each NHS trust in England and Wales; what the equivalent figures were for the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Information relating to Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.
	The available information for England has been placed in the Library.
	Between 1997 and 2001 the number of speech and language therapists working in the NHS has increased by 810 (11 per cent.) and the number of training places available for students has increased by over a hundred since 1998. There will be further increases in the number of students entering training as a result of the NHS Plan commitment to provide 4,450 more training places each year for therapists and other health professionals by 2004. The increased investment in training, work to make the NHS a better employer and encourage return to practice will result in a continued increase in the number of speech therapists available to work in the NHS.

Speech Therapists

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recruitment and retention of speech therapists.

John Hutton: The Government are implementing a range of measures to improve recruitment and retention of all staff, including speech and language therapists. These include an increase in pay, encouraging the national health service to become a better employer through the 'Improving Working Lives' and 'Positively Diverse' programmes, increasing training commissions, reducing student attrition, running national and local recruitment and return to practice campaigns. Further information on 'Improving Working Lives' is available at www.doh.gov.uk/iwl.

Strategic Health Authority Personnel

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list names of the chairperson and chief executive of each strategic health authority in England.

John Hutton: The names of the chairperson and chief executive of each of the new health authorities established on 1 April 2002 is shown in the table. Subject to legislation, it is expected that the new health authorities will be designated strategic health authorities from the autumn of 2002.
	
		
			 Health authority Chairperson Chief executive 
		
		
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire HA Ms Anthea Millett Mr. Mark Outhwaite 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire HA Mr. Ian White Ms Jane Herbert 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country HA Mrs. Elisabeth Buggins Mr. Geoff Scaife 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside HA Mrs. Judith Greensmith DL Mrs. Christine Hannah 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley HA Mr. Tony Waites Mr. Ken Jarrold 
			 Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire HA Mr. Charles Goody Mr. Mike Marchment 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Mrs. Kath Reade Mr. James Pearce Butler 
			 Dorset and Somerset HA Mrs. Jane Barrie Mr. Ian Carruthers 
			 Essex HA Mr. Michael Brookes Mr. Terry Hanafin 
			 Greater Manchester HA Mr. Philip Smith Mr. Neil Goodwin 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight HA Mr. Peter Bingham Mr. Gareth Cruddace 
			 Kent and Medway HA Miss Kate Lampard Mrs. Candy Morris 
			 Leicester, Northamptonshire and Rutland HA Sir Richard Tilt Mr. David Sissling 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire HA Mr. Stewart Francis Mr. Peter Houghton 
			 North Central London HA Ms Marcia Saunders Ms Christine Outram 
			 North East London HA Professor Elaine Murphy Ms Carolyn Regan 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire HA Professor David Johns CBE Mr. David Johnson 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear HA Mr. Peter Carr CBE DL Mr. David Flory 
			 North West London HA Ms Jane Kelly Professor Ron De Witt 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire HA Mr. Michael Brereton Professor Bernard Crump 
			 South East London HA Ms Linda Smith Mr. Duncan Selbie 
			 South West London HA Mr. James Cochrane Mrs. Julie Dent 
			 South West Peninsula HA Mrs. Judith Leverton Ms Thelma Holland 
			 South Yorkshire HA Mrs. Kathryn Riddle Mr. Mike Farrar 
			 Surrey and Sussex HA Mrs. Terese Hawksworth Mr. Simon Robbins 
			 Thames Valley HA Mrs. Jane Betts Mr. Nick Relph 
			 Trent HA Mr. Arthur Sandford Mr. Alan Burns 
			 West Yorkshire HA Sir Alistair Graham Mr. Richard Jeavons

Cancer Plan

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much was spent on hospices and palliative care (a) by the voluntary sector and (b) by Government in the last 12 months for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much has been invested in hospices and palliative care under the Cancer Plan.

Yvette Cooper: Estimates by the National Council for Hospices and Specialist Palliative Care Services indicate total expenditure (1999–2000) on adult palliative care services to be approximately £300 million, of which £170 million was provided by the voluntary sector and £130 million by the national health service.
	The NHS Cancer Plan set out our commitment to increase NHS investment in specialist palliative care (including hospices) by £50 million by 2004. This investment is intended to help tackle inequalities in access to specialist palliative care and enable the NHS to increase their contribution to the cost hospices incur in providing agreed levels of service.

Cancer Plan

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the extra training of existing staff as identified in the Cancer Plan.

Yvette Cooper: Good progress is being made in extra training of NHS staff to help them extend their skills and offer increased support to people with cancer. A number of new initiatives are underway to develop existing NHS roles and to increase the number of training places available so that we meet the NHS Cancer Plan targets to increase the number of cancer specialists. New ways of working pilot projects have been set up in four breast screening centres and nine radiotherapy centres. These are testing and developing new ways to make the best use of the skills and abilities of staff. We are also developing a nationally accredited educational and training programme for cytology-screening.
	£6 million has been made available over the next three years to support over 10,000 nurses in primary care (one in four of all district nurses) to take part in new training and support in the general principles and practice of palliative care. The training programme will help district and community nurses to support people with cancer in remaining at home for as long as possible during their illness. £2.5 million has also been made available to train additional staff in endoscopy procedures. We will also be introducing new joint training across professions in communication skills.

Cancer Plan

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in the five-a-day programme under the Cancer Plan.

Yvette Cooper: Progress has been as follows:
	The National School Fruit Scheme—the first pilots were launched in November 2000 covering 33 schools, the spring pilots were subsequently launched in February 2001, and covered 500 schools across the country. £42 million from the New Opportunities Fund will fund the expansion of the scheme from this month, when another 1,899 schools, within the west Midlands region will be included in the scheme, and thereafter on a termly basis further regions will come on board.
	Five-a-day community initiatives—following the successful evaluation of the five-a-day pilot sites, a further £10 million has been provided from the New Opportunities Fund, to support more five-a-day community initiatives. The funds have been allocated to 66 areas, based on deprivation and need.
	These schemes are being reinforced by the other measures set out in the NHS Plan and Cancer Plan, including involvement of the food industry and other Government Departments, a communications programme, to increase awareness to the health benefits, and a means of monitoring the impact on the targeted population.

Cancer Plan

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in recruiting the extra (a) cancer specialists, (b) nurses and (c) radiographers identified in the Cancer Plan.

Yvette Cooper: The table shows good progress in increasing the number of doctors and radiographers working in cancer services. This increase means the national health service is on track to hit the target set out in the Cancer Plan of nearly 1,000 extra cancer consultants by 2006. Separate figures are not available for cancer nurses, but the Department's Census shows that since the launch of the NHS Plan in September 1999 until September 2001 there was a net increase in nurses working in the NHS of 20,740. This increase will enable the recruitment of additional cancer-site specific nurse specialists, chemotherapy nurses, palliative care nurse specialists and additional nurses on cancer wards.
	NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Nursing, Midwifery & Health Visiting staff and Scientific, Therapeutic & Technical staff employed in the specified areas of work in England as at 30 September each year.
	
		NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (NCHS): nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and scientific, therapeutic and technical staff employed in the specified areas of work in England as at 30 September each year
		
			   1999 2001 
		
		
			 Consultants   
			 All cancer specialities 3,360 3,720 
			 Histopathology 840 920 
			 Clinical Radiology 1,510 1,640 
			 Clinical Oncology 300 330 
			 Medical Oncology 110 150 
			 Haematology 510 560 
			 Palliative Care 90 120 
			
			 Registrar Group   
			 All cancer specialities 1,400 1,670 
			 Histopathology 200 270 
			 Clinical Radiology 600 730 
			 Clinical Oncology 170 220 
			 Medical Oncology 140 140 
			 Haematology 240 230 
			 Palliative Care 50 80 
			
			 Radiography 13,860 14,690 
			 of which:   
			 Diagnostic 12,300 13,040 
			 Therapeutic 1,560 1,660 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest ten
	Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts
	Figures exclude learners and agency staff
	As in the NHS Cancer Plan, the figures for "all cancer specialities" covers the six specialities listed in the table.
	Source:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what trend data are available to measure progress against the PSA target for the reduction in the death rate from heart disease and stroke and related illnesses among people aged under 75 years.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 10 April 2002
	Data to monitor the Public Service Agreement target to reduce the death rate from heart disease and stroke and related illnesses (all circulatory diseases) among people aged under 75 years are obtained from mortality data published by the Office for National Statistics. Data are for England.
	This PSA target is the target published in 2000 in the NHS Plan and previously in 1999 in the White Paper 'Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation' for a 40 per cent. reduction by 2010 against a baseline of the average age standardised mortality rate for the three years 1995–97.
	The trend data are as follows:
	
		Three-year average age standardised mortality rate per 100,000 population
		
			 Period   
		
		
			 1995–97 139.60 
			 1996–98 133.78 
			 1997–99 127.00 
			 1998–2000 120.53

Waiting Times

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times for chemotherapy and radiotherapy are in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) other counties in England; and what steps are being taken to improve these waiting times.

Yvette Cooper: The NHS Cancer Plan set out maximum waiting time targets for first definitive cancer treatment which will come into effect over the next few years. From December 2001 there is a one-month maximum wait from diagnosis to first treatment for breast cancer and a one-month wait from urgent general practitioner referral to first treatment for childrens testicular cancer and acute leukaemia. By 2005 there will be a maximum one-month wait from diagnosis to first treatment for all cancers. Data to monitor the December 2001 target are being collected and will be published in due course. Data on waiting times for treatment of other cancers will be collected as the targets are introduced.

Primary Care Trusts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers PCTs have to commission services from outside the NHS.

John Hutton: Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) have a legal duty and freedom to secure the provision of locally relevant, high quality services for the populations they serve. This may be from the public (including local authorities) or independent sector. Commissioning decisions must be made on the basis of health care needs of the local community and should take into account of both clinical and cost effectiveness. PCTs may also legally secure the provision of services from countries in the European Economic Area for their patients. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 8 November 2001, Official Report, column 367W.

Acute Hospital Trusts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of funding for acute hospital trusts will be (a) channelled through PCTs and (b) directly provided by his Department.

John Hutton: Trusts receive the bulk of their funding via service agreements with Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
	PCTs will receive 100 per cent. of unified allocations which covers hospital and community health services, general practice prescribing, general practice infrastructure, in order to commission services for their populations.
	Trusts also receive revenue funding from the Department for medical and non-medical staff and nurse education services and for research and development.
	In addition trusts can charge staff, visitors or patients for services provided, such as catering or provision of private patient facilities.